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The company opened its first retail store in
Madison, Wisconsin, in 1979 with a staff of four, offering lighting and audio equipment. By the end of the 1980s, the company expanded its product line to video and theatrical equipment, distributing over 350 manufacturers. During the 1990s, Full Compass
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Full
Compass is one of the largest woman-owned businesses in Wisconsin. It has a 140,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters, which serves as a retail store and distribution center for all shipped merchandise, and an 80,000 sq. ft. warehouse. The facility also has two working production studios, a public
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Full
Compass Systems was founded as a professional sound studio in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1971 by Johnathan and Susan Lipp. Jonathan incorporated Full Compass Systems, Ltd. In 1977 to provide professional sound equipment to a wider market. In 1978, Susan, who had previous marketing, personnel
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is an
American retailer of professional audio, professional video, lighting equipment and musical instruments. The company offers more than 100,000 products through 800 manufacturer brands, and it is an authorized service center and parts distributor for many. Full Compass also provides other
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in 2004. The company launched its own eCommerce site in 2006. By 2008, the company's
Middleton facility was too small for its required inventory. Full Compass designed and built its current 140,000 sq. ft. headquarters, taking occupancy on July 1, 2009.
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services, such as computer systems integration and equipment rentals (rentals available in WI only). The company, founded in 1977 by
Jonathan and Susan Lipp, is located in
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offered its first color catalog. In 1995, to accommodate its enormous growth, the company expanded into a 72,000 sq. ft. building with a 42,000 sq. ft. warehouse in
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Full
Compass has a full-time staff of approximately 200. The company releases semi-annual catalogs in Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
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technology museum, and the "Backstage Bistro," with a full-time kitchen staff that caters to employees and visitors.
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The company has approximately 200 employees, and about one-third are highly-trained sales professionals.
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management, and theatrical production experience, joined the company full-time and became president.
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Hawkins, Lee Jr. (2000-09-10). "Microphones help entrepreneurs amplify sales".
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Top-of-the-List - Women-owned businesses, software companies
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Growth at Full
Compass leads to new $ 13.5 million building
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Full
Compass Systems Begins Move to 140,000 SF Facility
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News
Release - Full Compass Celebrates Grand Opening
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472:Musical instrument retailers of the United States
339:Lipp takes family approach to build audio firm
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234:, Full Compass began selling products on
230:To address the retail industry's shift to
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362:"Full Compass Systems - Company History"
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482:Companies based in Madison, Wisconsin
477:Retail companies of the United States
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487:Retail companies established in 1977
406:"Full Compass Systems - Integration"
16:American musical instrument retailer
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492:1977 establishments in Wisconsin
105:Susan Lipp, co-founder, Chairman
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335:Newman, Carlise (1999-06-27).
320:SBA 100 - Full Compass Systems
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289:Zaferos, Barb (2011-07-22).
266:Newman, Judy (2009-10-07).
71:; 47 years ago
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377:Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
20:Full Compass Systems, Ltd.
102:Jonathan Lipp, co-founder
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452:"Full Compass - Catalog"
108:Dave Chaimson, President
276:Wisconsin State Journal
140:Lighting and Theatrical
420:"History of Ecommerce"
345:The Business Journal
299:The Business Journal
176:Full Compass Systems
168:www.fullcompass.com
155:Number of employees
136:Musical Instruments
60:Musical Instruments
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226:2000 to Present
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440:. 2009-06-17.
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379:. p. 1D.
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238:in 2003 and
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213:1980 to 2000
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84:Headquarters
34:Company type
204:Early years
88:Madison, WI
466:Categories
250:References
240:Amazon.com
95:Key people
232:eCommerce
220:Middleton
144:Computers
120:Pro Audio
48:Pro Audio
236:eBay.com
187:Overview
148:Software
116:Products
56:Lighting
44:Industry
199:History
181:Madison
164:Website
74: (
66:Founded
38:Private
58:, and
132:Photo
124:Video
52:Video
146:and
76:1977
69:1977
159:180
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142:,
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128:TV
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