This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — A local business owner has received an exclusive $5,000 grant designed to help female entrepreneurs during the pandemic.

Kelly Lankford owns the KHL Interior Design Studio and Inspo: A Modern Decor Store in Lee’s Summit.

Lankford opened her brick and mortar store last year. At first, business was booming, but since the pandemic hit, her store has seen a 50% decrease in foot traffic.

She recently found out she’d received the grant being offered to female entrepreneurs nationwide.

“I got an email just saying congratulations and I didn’t believe it at first, but it was super exciting because I didn’t realize how many applications they had gotten in, but they did fund 1,080 women owned-businesses across the United States,” Lankford said.

The grant came in a red backpack from Spanx founder Sarah Blakely. Blakely built her empire out of $5,000 in savings.

Lankford plans to use the money for an e-commerce platform.