Every anniversary marks a milestone, but thirty-five years calls for something more:
A celebration of grit, heart, and a team that never quits.
This October, The Advance Group is not just celebrating an impressive number. We’re reflecting on a journey that began in a single office and grew into a premier staffing partner for companies across Ohio and Michigan.
Starting with a Leap and a Lot of Heart
Stacey Bigelow can still remember her first days in staffing, back in 1990.
In the early days, I took a leap of faith and bought a building in downtown Monroe to make it our home. At the same time, I poured myself into the community; volunteering with United Way, The American Red Cross, and involvement with local leadership groups.
Looking back, those choices weren’t just about having an office or joining organizations; they were about building roots, relationships, and trust. That foundation still shapes how we show up today — putting people first and creating lasting partnerships with our clients and talent.
Stacey loved the energy and the fast-moving pace. Each day was a new chance to make a difference for someone. In 1990, that spark grew into something bigger. The doors opened, the phones rang, and The Advance Group was born.
Building a Team, Building a Community
The early years pushed Stacey to her limits. She handled sales and recruiting while processing payroll and solving daily problems that came with building a company from the ground up. Eventually, the long nights paid off. Each job placement strengthened a family’s income, and every new client expanded the job community she aimed to serve.
The Advance Group began in Monroe with a clear purpose: to connect hard-working people with companies that valued them and rewarded their efforts. Word spread as the company produced results for both employers and candidates.
The team expanded into Toledo and the Downriver Detroit areas, creating opportunities in every market. Each location was driven to serve people with care and help local businesses thrive.
Roots That Run Deep
Community involvement remained at the center of the journey. Stacey and her team gave time and energy to local non-profit organizations and business associations. They saw the power of collaboration, not just inside the company but in every connection outside it.
Those early relationships turned into partnerships that still last. In 1994, the Monroe County Business Alliance honored Stacey with the Rising Star Award. That moment captured the spirit of what The Advance Group was building.
Leading with Heart, Midwestern Grit, and a Game Plan
The Advance Group has grown into a company that leads with heart and vision. We speak with honesty and confidence and treat people with care to build lasting relationships over time.
We believe in people and show up for the tough moments, looking for a way to lift others up. That Midwestern grit to never giving up and always rolling up sleeves shows up in everything, from filling last-minute shifts to guiding a business through busy seasons.
A Mission That Never Changes
At the heart of The Advance Group is a simple promise. We make hiring simpler and more human. We match great people with great work and help companies grow stronger.
Industry trends and advanced technology have not changed our desire to connect with our clients on an authentic human level. Tech hasn’t always been around or even relevant to what we do. But even as we embrace technology, we do so with the human touch. We build relationships to help people and organizations succeed.
Every day brings a new opportunity to live out these values. Clients return because they know this team shows up as collaborators, not just vendors. Job seekers trust that they will be respected, listened to, and placed in roles that help them advance.
Achievements, Growth, and Looking Ahead
Through every season, The Advance Group has adapted and grown. The team has introduced high-tech solutions to make staffing even smarter. Yet the core never changed:
Relationships, integrity, and treating people right always come first.
The Advance Group has earned recognition as one of the region’s best staffing agencies. The Monroe, Toledo, and downriver Detroit communities have relied on the company for jobs, partnerships, and community support.
As they celebrate this milestone, The Advance Group looks to the future with excitement. The story is far from over, we are still advancing.. Every new year brings new opportunities to help people advance their careers, support local businesses, and lift the communities they call home.
A Toast to What’s Next
Stacey often says, “We’re not just filling jobs. We’re helping people advance their lives. And we’re just getting started.” Thirty-five years is an achievement. It’s also an invitation to keep moving forward with heart, with courage, and with a team that’s always ready to advance.
Here’s to the next chapter, the next challenge, and every person whose story is now part of The Advance Group’s own. Cheers to thirty-five years and all the lives changed along the way.