Wesley Ross caught the business bug earlier than most entrepreneurs.

In elementary school, the youngster sold Silly Bandz and snacks from his backpack from inventory his mom purchased in bulk from Costco. Though he didn’t walk away with millions, his passion paved the way for his future.

“I think one of the biggest things that has fueled me over the years is people’s doubts and disbelief in who I am and what I tell people I’m capable of,” Ross, 20, said.

Ross was featured in the Pioneer Press at the age of 15 after landing government contracts to supply personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, as an adult, he is stepping into a new role as the chief technology officer of his start-up company, Volta Motorcycles. He and employees Tyler Matupang and Sam Edwards, who all met at Woodbury High School, plan to build electric motorcycles by hand using old motorcycle frames from the scrapyard.

The business will celebrate its official launch from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Osborn370 in downtown St. Paul.

“I had always known that I wanted to start something big and something that provided for others, but I never really knew exactly what it took to get there,” Ross said. “I knew that I had to set myself up.”

Building a sustainable brand

Ross was approached in August 2024 by Bridgemakers, a youth-led initiative with an office at Osborn370 that “develops youth to be change agents through storytelling, public leadership and entrepreneurship,” according to their website. The connection eventually led to Ross receiving $12,000 from Bridgemakers to help fund his Volta Motorcycles vision.

Along with providing funding, Bridgemakers also helped Ross better understand how to run a business, he said, something he hadn’t done to the capacity he is now.

“One thing I’ve always been passionate about is sustainability, and so we decided that instead of building something new, let’s take something old and recycle it,” Ross said.

Some do-it-yourselfers already convert old or junked motorcycles to run on electricity; Volta Motorcycles will do it for you, sourcing pre-owned motorcycle frames from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, scrapyards or donations, Ross said.

Rather than building electric motorcycles from scratch, converting old conventional models means they can spend more money on things like the battery and powertrain to produce a quality product, he said.

Plus vintage models look better, according to Ross.

“People want that familiar feel,” Ross said.

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When Volta Motorcycles conducted market research, Ross said he found that people weren’t very interested in modern and futuristic aesthetics but instead wanted to ride the motorcycles they saw in old photos of their dads.

“We want to bring back that nostalgia,” Ross said.

Volta Motorcycles does not have have a physical location and hasn’t started selling yet. They’re currently marketing online while searching for a storefront, aiming to open in May with a goal of producing five motorcycles a month through the end of the year.

“While I’d love to sell 150 motorcycles a month, and some of our competitors sell 5,000 a year, I want to make sure that at least for the first year it’s about quality,” Ross said. “It’s about building a product that you believe in and I believe in – something that’s gonna last on the road.”

So what will they sell?

Wesley Ross talks about his electric motorcycle business in his downtown St. Paul apartment. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Volta Motorcycles is marketing four different electric motorcycle units — Touring EV1, Urban EV2, Sprinter EV3 and Striker EV4 — with varying power, ranges and charge times. Motorcycles can be purchased pre-built or customers can bring in their own bikes to be converted to electric, according to Ross.

“Why get rid of what you love when you can have it converted,” Ross said.

Prices for prebuilt vehicles will range from $5,500 to $14,500 and the price to convert existing motorcycles will range from $3,500 to $8,000.

Ross said one of the things he appreciates about electric motorcycles is their simple maintenance and ease of operation.

Whether a college student needs a quick, affordable option for getting around campus or an older rider “can’t hit the clutch like he used to on his Harley” but still wants the thrill of the ride, Volta Motorcycles is creating products that “anyone can use,” Ross said.

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Though business is just beginning for Volta Motorcycles, Ross said he has bigger plans for what it can do.

“Yes, we are a motorcycle brand, but we see ourselves more as a transportation brand,” Ross said.

Ross said he is already looking to recycle and retrofit other types to vehicles such as go-karts, ATVs, mopeds and cars. In the future he hopes to sell across the country.

Volta Motorcycles’ March 20 launch party is open to the public and “the more, the merrier,” according to Ross.

During the launch, Ross will share his vision for the start-up and demonstrate the brand’s prototype bike, aka “Greased Lighting.” Food and drinks will be provided and, yes, those with a proper endorsement or permit can test the motorcycle for themselves.