Driven by Operator Experience
Results Rooted in Reality
Built on Real-World Leadership
Experience Forged on the Floor
Universal Consulting Group Inc, based in Dousman, Wisconsin, is built around genuine operational experience. Stephen Mars, the founder, brings over two decades working directly inside automotive repair shops - leading teams, growing businesses, and solving the daily challenges that shop owners face. His career covers everything from managing single-bay shops to scaling multi-location operations. Along the way, he saw firsthand how theory-heavy advice often misses the heart of what shop owners truly need: practical guidance rooted in lived reality. This realization inspired him to start Universal Consulting Group, offering operator-led consulting anchored in real-world process - not just whiteboard ideas. Instead of focusing on generic strategies, Stephen delivers actionable insights that address profitability, team productivity, workflow hang-ups, and the entire journey of scaling or stabilizing a business. Every recommendation comes from systems actually proven inside successful shops. That is why shop owners all over the United States choose UCG for hands-on support and transformative growth - because they know the advice is not just credible, but practical and results-driven. Stephen's experience ensures advice is not just delivered, but implemented alongside each client to drive measurable improvements.
Guided by Integrity and Results
Core values drive every engagement at Universal Consulting Group. Integrity means always doing what is right for each client, with honest feedback and transparent accountability at every step. Leadership, to UCG, is not just about setting policies or meeting numbers - it is about developing the people and processes that create sustainable results. Operational excellence is not a slogan; it is a day-to-day discipline, built through clear systems, strong leadership teams, and a culture where everyone knows their role in the shop's success. Every aspect of UCG's approach is shaped by these principles. Work is hands-on and collaborative, ensuring that improvements are implemented with the client and not simply handed over in a report. This builds a genuine relationship with shop owners, grounded in trust and open communication. Clients often remark on how quickly they gain clarity into their business and how supported their teams feel. UCG's methods are designed to deliver measurable value, from technician retention to KPIs that actually drive profits. Every client receives a clear path to growth, stability, and the freedom to step back or scale up, knowing their shop is in capable hands.
Stephen Mars
Founder & Operator
Stephen Mars brings over 20 years of frontline experience in the automotive repair sector, having led everything between single-location shops and large-scale multi-site operations. He has a hands-on history of restoring underperforming businesses, designing incentive programs to attract and keep top technicians, and developing operational systems that turn chaos into profit. Stephen's leadership style blends practical wisdom with direct accountability, always focusing on what drives real improvement for clients. He holds an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification, an MBA, and is on track to complete his DBA in 2026. As a veteran and industry peer, he understands the demands owners face and grounds every recommendation in real outcomes - not abstract advice. Under Stephen's guidance, UCG clients benefit from tested systems, pragmatic coaching, and the confidence that comes from having a true operator on their side.