[Stage] The Funding Strategy Every Staffing Owner Needs to Know (with Julie Ann Bittner)

In this episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with Julie Ann Bittner to unpack the truth about staffing funding: why it’s not a weakness, how the right partner fuels growth, and what smart owners must understand before cash gets tight. About the Guest Julie Ann Bittner is the President and CEO of TRICOM, a staffing-industry–specific funding and back-office partner with over 36 years of experience. Known for her high energy and deep industry insight, Julie Ann has spent decades helping staffing owners scale responsibly while navigating volatility, growth cycles, and uncertainty. Key Takeaways Funding is a strategic growth tool, not a sign of weakness. The right partner scales with your business—not against it. Waiting until cash is tight limits your best options. Industry-specific expertise beats generalist solutions. Proactive communication prevents reactive decisions. Timestamps [00:15] – Reframing funding as strength, not weakness [01:40] – Why banks struggle with staffing growth cycles [03:15] – Asset-based lending vs. factoring explained [05:16] – Funding realities for staffing startups [06:07] – Questions every owner must ask lenders [07:51] – The risk of client concentration [09:20] – Why waiting too long costs you options [11:14] – The danger of non-industry lenders [13:38] – Where staffing rebounds next year [16:02] – Industries quietly turning the corner [17:12] – AI’s real role in staffing today [23:53] – What true funding partnership looks like About the Host Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads. Sponsors and Offers Heard Take the Stage is presented by Haley Marketing. The old way of selling staffing is dead. Let’s fix it – with smarter strategies and HUGE DISCOUNTS on modern lead gen tools: https://bit.ly/Bialy20 Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host, Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30 This episode is brought to you by MJA & Associates. For over 20 years, they’ve helped staffing firms save money by securing federal and state tax credits like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). With performance-based pricing, you only pay when you save—no setup costs, just real results. Learn more at https://mja-associates.com