Our Story
The Advance Group was founded in 1990 by Stacey Bigelow. We’re a woman-owned and operated staffing agency, serving Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. We’re locally owned and focused on commercial staffing. We understand the business challenges of the communities we serve and can adapt as needed – without a lot of corporate red tape.
Our Founder Story
When I first started working in staffing in 1986, I was instantly hooked by the fast-paced chaos of it all. No two days were ever the same—and that energy lit a fire in me. Every shift, every placement, every phone call was a chance to make a difference in someone’s life and help a business thrive. That sense of purpose stuck with me.
In 1990, I opened our first office in Monroe, Michigan. Back then, I wore every hat—salesperson, recruiter, payroll clerk. I was building something from the ground up—not just a business, but a true community partner. I joined the local chamber, connected with other business leaders, and met incredible people who believed in our mission just as much as I did.
Where our growth started
Our growth started in Monroe and soon expanded into the greater Toledo and Detroit areas. But no matter how much we’ve grown, our focus hasn’t changed. At The Advance Group, we’re not just filling jobs—we’re helping people advance their lives.
I’ve always believed that sustainable growth comes from investing in the right things: people, technology, and strong, trusted partnerships. Our clients know we show up as collaborators, not just vendors. We bring insights, flexibility, and a commitment to doing what’s right—not what’s easy.
Along the way, I’ve remained actively involved in advancing our industry through memberships with the American Staffing Association and the Affiliated Staffing Group. And one of my proudest early honors was receiving the Rising Star Award in 1994 from the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce—a milestone that recognized the spirit of entrepreneurship and community that still fuels our mission today.
The future of staffing isn’t just transactional—it’s transformational. Together with our clients and our talent, we’re advancing careers, empowering business growth, and developing the communities we proudly call home.
And we’re just getting started.
Our partners and associates:
- Affiliated Staffing Group
- American Staffing Association (ASA)
- Employers’ Association
- Greater Southeast Michigan Society for Human Resource Management
- Ohio Staffing Services Association
- Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association
- Safety Council of Northwest Ohio
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- Affiliated Staffing Group
- American Staffing Association (ASA)
- Employers’ Association
- Greater Southeast Michigan Society for Human Resource Management
- Ohio Staffing Services Association
- Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association
- Safety Council of Northwest Ohio
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- Affiliated Staffing Group(AS Group)
- American Staffing Association (ASA)
- Employers’ Association
- Ohio Staffing Services Association(OSSA)
- Ohio Staffing Services Association
- Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association(NOHRA)
- Safety Council of Northwest Ohio
- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council(WBENC)
- Oregon Economic Development Foundation
- Workspring
- Monroe County Business Alliance (MCBA)
- Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber (SWCRC)
- Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Sylvania Chamber of Commerce
- NW Ohio Manufacturing Association (NOMA)
- Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)