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.

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.

• 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.

• [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

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.

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

In this episode of Lunch with Haley, Brad Bialy sits down to reflect on the biggest lessons, mindset shifts, and industry insights he gained from a transformative year in staffing, recruiting, leadership, and personal growth.

Brad Bialy is a senior marketing strategist at Haley Marketing and the host of both Take the Stage and InSights. With seven years of podcasting and thousands of conversations with staffing leaders, he brings a rare blend of industry expertise, curiosity, and real-world experience.

• “The storm isn’t coming — it’s already here.”

• “Systems create repeatable wins.”

• “Happiness lives in the process, not the milestone.”

• “Curiosity builds relationships; pressure breaks them.”

• “Your service must live up to your story.”

• [00:27] Warming up the room and the question that sparks reflection

• [02:14] Why 2025 was a “hell of a year” for staffing

• [05:13] Inside the threats creating a perfect storm for staffing

• [13:23] Competing with Amazon, DoorDash, and Spotify

• [18:44] The happiness trap and the marathon moment

• [24:58] Topical authority and why content density wins

• [28:41] Systems over goals: the Uber ride epiphany

• [31:37] Why you’re not reaching prospects nearly enough

• [36:29] Personalized automation and the GNC postcard lesson

• [38:31] Stop selling like the ’80s

• [41:09] Stay curious: winning the relationship, not the deal

• [55:21] The Gen Z wake-up call and the danger of declining satisfaction

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.

In this episode of Take the Stage, Brad Bialy sits down with John Klymshyn to explore how sales professionals can reclaim humanity, curiosity, and authentic connection in an AI-driven staffing world.

John Klymshyn is a renowned speaker, coach, and author who has spent more than 27 years helping staffing organizations unlock creativity, sharpen their message, and elevate leadership through authentic communication. His work blends business practicality with creative play, empowering teams to sell with curiosity and conviction. Amazon Author Page

• Authenticity is a competitive advantage.

• Curiosity moves conversations forward.

• Precision of language shapes outcomes.

• Consistency beats urgency.

• Practice makes prepared.

• [00:34] – Why AI can’t replace human connection

• [02:14] – The mindset shift sellers must make

• [04:04] – Bringing your authentic self into sales

• [07:47] – Asking better questions that invite the next step

• [09:37] – How to remove “commission breath”

• [12:36] – Leading with curiosity instead of pressure

• [13:55] – Selling through down markets without fear

• [17:33] – The real math behind modern follow-up

• [21:24] – Why personalized video still disrupts

• [24:19] – Honor your commitments and keep showing up

• [29:23] – Practice makes prepared, not perfect

• [38:16] – A five-year mindset for new sales reps

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.

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