Meet Kerrie Oles | Founder, Speaker & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kerrie Oles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kerrie, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
While most people grew up going to church every Sunday, I was going to prison. I never wanted to go, but because my brother was incarcerated, my parents made me. He’s been in 9 times, because he’s never received the help he needed to heal, restore and reform. We’ve been estranged since I can remember, because every time he would get released, his addiction would start again, and he would break the law and return to prison. He told me one day its where he felt most comfortable; and that was devastating to hear. I became a Christian motivational speaker and would get asked repeatedly to speak at women’s prison, and every request I denied. Until, one day 4 years ago, I gave in to the call, and after it was over, I had an encounter with a young woman who had just given her life to the Lord, been in prison for 7 years, and was about to be released. She told me that, “out there (beyond the prison walls) she didn’t know how to stop being herself.” Which meant she didn’t know how to receive help and begin different ways of thinking, feeling, speaking, and acting. I drove home that day with a burden in my heart that I didn’t want a momentary encounter ministry, I wanted to make a lasting impact. We began “Unlocked Ministries,” to help people who have been incarcerated, in transitional homes, sex-trafficked, youth facilities or even in churches who didn’t know how to get help, receive healing to begin a new start. We all need a place to begin change for change to happen, and thus the idea was born.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a creative at heart. I’m always creating new content, and while I’m the author of 4 books, it could be 104 because I love words so much! They matter. They just do. As long as I have my Matcha tea latte, I can write for hours, even if no one ever sees my words, they have to come out of me; that’s what creatives do. I’m most excited about our upcoming fundraiser on Nov 1st, as we get to highlight many women who have come from terrible situations and tragic decisions, that have turned their life around and are thriving! I love a good testimony, and we all have one to tell! It has not been easy, especially 2020 in covid, because alot of these facilities were locked down, so we couldn’t get our curriculums into them, but continued prayer has helped us ramp up in areas and processes that are now better than ever, and we’re ready to put them into practice. I’ve learned that perseverance, and being true to yourself and your beliefs can take you further than any 7 step process on social, I want people to know, even if they’ve only been locked up in their mind, or emotions, that healing is possible, no matter how bad you think your past, or present is; there is hope and help. Just ask us, and we will send you some!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite things are in the walls of coffee shops, especially in the DFW area. When people come to visit, I have to take them to Summer Moon coffee in Keller, or La La Land in Dallas, It’s a toss up as to which has most of my heart and money. Then, I would insist someone go shop in Southlake town square because they have the greatest stores, and my fav shop called Evereve. The most fabulous clothes, the end. While coffee and shopping are great, we have to chat about the best restaurants! Howard Wangs in Southlake, and Sixty Vines in Dallas, those are really all the culinary feasts you need; just trust me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, Nancy Alcorn, with Mercy Multiplied has guided me personally and professionally as her ministry has been thriving for over 25 years, and the impact she has had on young women’s lives is indescribable! Without her, Unlocked would probably not be progressing as much as it has.

Website: https://www.unlockedministries.com/
Instagram: @kerrie_oles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerriegoles

Image Credits
cory Hale