Kirk Axelson
Founder of Precision Draperies Education
Kirk Axelson has been in the window coverings business for 35 years
and has owned and operated a drapery workroom for over 25 years. Beginning as a
child he learned the trade from his parents who also owned a workshop. His Mother
made the draperies and his Father installed them. Kirk would help his Mother with
construction of the drapes and cornices, and also go with his Father to install
them. Taking a break from drapery making, Kirk proceeded to work for a few woodworking
companies to gain knowledge in woodworking. He soon found himself back into being
a sole proprietor of his own workroom called Precision Draperies Inc., which was
a drapery workroom of over 8000 sq, ft. with as many as 13 employees.
With all of these years of experience, he has seen every side of the soft treatment
manufacturing operation: order management, fabrication and installation, including
both residential and commercial jobs. Kirk's work has been featured in several "Parade
of Homes" over the years with some of his work being displayed in homes that have
won awards.
He has taken several
AutoCAD classes to ensure all his jobs go in precisely as planned. With the help
of AutoCAD, Kirk found that he could plot out patterns for cornices, valances, and
hardware with a great deal of precision, eliminating manufacturing errors and speeding
production. He now offers this service on his Precision Draperies Education web
site.
See Full Pattern Print Out Service.
In December of 2002 Kirk's wife of 19 years was tragically killed in an auto accident
and he was left to raise his two children, Nicole and Brandon, on his own. After
trying many day care and baby sitter options, he chose to close his workroom and
took to authorship, speaking, and publishing. This was a way to share his knowledge
and still be there for his children. It was during this time that he wrote The Ultimate
Designers Workbook and Study Guide to the Ultimate Designers Workbook which are
based on the proprietary operating system that he developed, tested, and used in
his own workroom for over 8 years. Kirk's former workroom website can be seen at
www.precisiondrapery.com
Kirk's Recent Article "Seize the Opportunity" was written for Draperies & Window
Coverings Magazine in November, 2006.
While operating Precision Draperies Education, and raising his children, Kirk continues
to maintain his education and remains active with numerous industry related organizations
and workrooms in the Denver area. He is currently attending Front Range Community
College in pursuit of a Multi Media Degree in order to expand his repertoire of
innovative, cutting edge training programs available.
Some of these activities include:
- Currently serves on the Communications Committee of the Colorado ASID.
- Rode for the Children's Hospital 15th Annual "Courage Classic" in 07-2005.
- Emily Griffith Center, 11th Annual Road Ramble (07-2004).
- Emily Griffith Center, 10th Annual Road Ramble (07-2003).
- Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (07-2005).
- Super Wheels Bike-a-thon for Multiple Sclerosis (06-1980).
Kirk's latest speaking engagement topic is "How to overcome adversity" by "Tapping
The Vitality Within"
In this engagement he shares with the audience his battle with doubt
when his wife of 19 years and sister-in-law are killed in an auto accident. He shares
the key of mastering positive "self talk" and reveals how anyone can use this tool
to control all aspects of their life. Learn the meaning behind his favorite sayings,
"Take everyday as a blessing as things happen for reason", and "Fantastic! Everyday
Is Friday" can keep you in peace with yourself and those around you!
Currently Kirk continues with public speaking and has done many speaking engagements
for the following organizations:
- Boulder Optimist Club (1/23/08)
Han Williams
Topic: FANTASTIC!, Everyday Is FRIDAY!!!™
- Front Range Community College (8/26/07)
Jeanne Handwerk
Topic: FANTASTIC!, Everyday Is FRIDAY!!!™
- American Business Woman's Assoc (5/14/07)
Marian Giannasi
Topic: How to tap the vitality within
- Arapahoe Sales Professionals (2/22/07)
Lisa Rowe
Topic: How to tap the vitality within
- Mile High Sales Professionals (1/31/07)
Mike Dellere
Topic: How to tap the vitality within
- Westwood College (11/23/06)
Moema Shortridge
Topic: Elements of Cornices
- Littleton Kiwanas Club (11/21/06)
Kevin Greene
Topic: How to tap the vitality within
- Art Institute of Colorado (11/21/06)
Jennifer Brown
Topic: Elements of Draperies
- Lakewood Optimist Club (11/9/06)
Sherman W. Phillips
Topic: How to tap the vitality within
- Arapahoe Community College (10/20/06)
Bev Moriarty
Topic: Fundamentals of Cornices
- Front Range Community College (7/10/06)
Jeanne Handwerk
Topic: How to tap the vitality within
- Arapahoe Community College (12/8/2005)
Bev Moriarty
Topic: Fundamentals of Draperies and Drapery Valances, Cornices, Swags
- Rocky Mountain Design & Art College,
Nicole Naillon 2 occasions (10/12/2004), (6/22/2005)
Jessica Elliot 1 occasion (11/22/2005)
Topic: Fundamentals of Draperies and Drapery Valances, Cornices.
- Toastmasters of Westminster
- Designers Network (7/20/2005)
TJ Hookers Showroom, Denver Design Center.
Topic: Fundamentals of Draperies and Drapery Valances
Testimonials
"Kirk Axelson of Precision Draperies Education has been an invaluable resource
to the classes of Arapahoe Community College. Kirk's knowledge seems to know no
boundaries when it comes to the subject of window coverings and bedding.
The college has utilized Kirk as a resource to assist our students with current
and important knowledge regarding the hows and whys of soft and hard treatments.
By utilizing outstanding samples of construction and through his lectures, our students
are able to better understand a complicated subject.
We at Arapahoe Community College truly respect and enjoy working with Kirk and look
forward to continued assistance from his fine company, Precision Draperies Education."
-Cyndi Fyke
Residential Coordinator
Interior Design
Arapahoe Community College
"Thank you so much for taking your time to speak to my AAA 090 Academic Achievement
class last summer at Front Range Community College. The topic you chose was perfect
for the students in this class. The feedback I received was that the stories and
insights you shared about your own life had quite an impact on many of the students
who planned to apply what you said their own lives. Many speakers are not comfortable
being as open and honest as you were with them - and they appreciated your honesty.
As I looked around the room while you were speaking, I saw a couple of students
with tears, and the rest intently listening to what you were saying. You are a great
motivational speaker and have a gift for moving your audience to action. I look
forward to having you speak to future classes of mine. Again, thank you for your
time."
-Jeanne Handwerk,
Developmental Instructor,
Front Range Community College,
Westminster, CO, 80031
Click here to contact Kirk if
you are interested in having him speak to your organization.