Press Release

Full Compass Systems Earns SBA 100 Award

September 7, 2011

Madison, WI - Full Compass Systems, a national leader in professional audio, video, lighting, A/V and musical instrument sales, was recently visited by Karen Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as part of the company's induction into the SBA 100. The SBA 100 recognizes one hundred businesses that have received assistance in the past from the SBA and grew to create 100 jobs or more. These companies employ workers all across America and cover a wide range of industries. Full Compass Systems is one of only two businesses from Wisconsin who have received this honor.

Full Compass owners, Jonathan and Susan Lipp, participated in the SBA's 7(a) loan program in the early 80's. The loans they received assisted in acquiring a larger facility, allowing them to house additional inventory and hire more employees to accommodate their fast-growing business. In the mid-90's they received an additional loan from the SBA's 504 loan program, which allowed the company to expand even further. Now, Full Compass has moved into its newest home, a 140,000 sq.-ft. facility designed by the Lipps, who also supervised its construction. The new headquarters houses over $12 million in inventory and a staff of over 180 employees. It is the fourth largest woman-owned business in the state of Wisconsin.

Susan Lipp said, "We are grateful to the Small Business Administration for their assistance and are thrilled to be recognized as one of their success stories. More importantly, we take great pride in the people we employ at Full Compass and we strive to create a wonderful place to work."