UpShift Financial was founded in 2013 by entrepreneur and former corporate financial controller & vice president, Dean Johnson. Based in Rockford, IL, UpShift Financial is empowering and enabling entrepreneurs across northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

The Founder of UpShift Financial, Johnson, offers more than 30 years of experience managing businesses, consulting, and leading growth initiatives in the retail and medical industries.

After graduating with a degree in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University, Johnson began his career as an entrepreneur, opening a retail pet store in Rockford, IL. Over the next 24 years, Johnson expanded operations across northern Illinois, opening and selling multiple retail locations from Rockford to the Chicago suburbs.

As an entrepreneur, Johnson developed an exceptional depth and breadth of experience in many areas. His focus on boot-strapping and efficiency led to him managing all financial records, serving as the general contractor on new location construction, and leading computerized data and inventory control. This entrepreneurial experience has laid the groundwork for the philosophy and expertise behind UpShift Financial.

Later, Johnson joined Physicians Immediate Care (now Physicians Urgent Care) where he served as Controller, Vice President of Business Development and CEO of its franchise company, Immediate Care America. During his time at Physicians Immediate Care, Johnson designed and implemented both organizational and financial structures that enabled the six-location chain of urgent care clinics to begin rapid growth across multiple states and major metro areas.