Skip to main content
Friday, November 13, 2026 Canada’s leading platform for small business insights
CanadianSME Business Magazine

No matches yet — press Enter to search everything.

Advertise With Us Subscribe Free
Menu
Subscribe Free
Marketing

Bellybees: A Purpose Driven Children’s Brand Redefining Early Childhood Through Nutrition and Learning

Rohanthi (Ro) WijewickramaPublished September 1, 2026 · 4 min read
Share
A woman with long dark hair in a maroon top smiles at the camera. Text reads: Rohanthi (Ro) Wijewickrama, Founder & CEO of Bellybees. CanadiansSME logo is also visible.

Bellybees is a growing children’s brand redefining early childhood development through a thoughtful blend of nutrition, learning, and play. Based in Ontario, Canada, the brand is built on the belief that the early years deserve intentional products that support both healthy bodies and curious minds.

Founded by a mom and entrepreneur with a background in food science and early childhood education, Bellybees was created to address a common challenge faced by modern families: finding products that are both developmentally meaningful and genuinely nourishing. From the beginning, the brand has focused on trust, quality, and purpose; values that continue to guide its growth.

Bellybees’ foundation lies in infant and toddler nutrition, shaped by hands-on experience in food production and quality control through its manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka. This early focus allowed the brand to develop a deep understanding of age-appropriate nutrition while maintaining oversight of ingredients, preparation methods, and safety standards. That experience continues to inform the company’s approach to product development today.

As the brand evolved, Bellybees expanded beyond food into screen-free educational products designed to support holistic child development. Today, the company offers a growing range of flashcards, puzzles, storybooks, and hands-on craft kits that encourage learning through play. Each product is created to support key developmental milestones, including fine motor skills, early literacy, problem-solving, creativity, and independent thinking.

In a time when screens are increasingly introduced at younger ages, Bellybees has positioned itself as an advocate for tactile, hands-on learning. The brand believes children learn best through active engagement such as touching, building, imagining, and exploring their environment. By prioritizing screen-free experiences, Bellybees encourages deeper focus, stronger parent-child bonds, and a more natural love of learning.

Design, safety, and usability are central to the Bellybees product philosophy. Educational tools are developed with young hands in mind, featuring durable materials, rounded edges, and vibrant, inclusive illustrations inspired by everyday life. Products are designed to be joyful and approachable, encouraging independent exploration while also fostering meaningful shared moments between children and caregivers.

Sustainability and responsibility are also core pillars of the Bellybees brand. The company emphasizes thoughtful sourcing and long-lasting materials, creating products meant to be reused, shared, and passed down. This commitment reflects a broader goal of reducing waste while delivering lasting value to families.

Community feedback plays an essential role in Bellybees’ continued growth. The brand actively listens to parents, caregivers, and educators, using real-world insights to guide product development and future innovation. This collaborative approach has helped Bellybees build trust and a loyal following among families seeking intentional, development-focused products.

With operations rooted in Canada and a global perspective, Bellybees is laying the foundation for long-term expansion. Future plans include growing its nutrition offerings, introducing new learning tools, and exploring broader international opportunities. As the company scales, it remains committed to its mission: to support families during the most important years of a child’s life.

At its core, Bellybees offers a holistic approach to early childhood recognizing that nourishment extends beyond food and learning happens everywhere. By bridging nutrition and education, Bellybees continues to empower parents and inspire children to grow, explore, and thrive.


About Author

Rohanthi Wijewickrama, also known as Ro, is a dynamic entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, and accomplished author. Born in Sri Lanka and now based in Toronto, Canada, Ro’s passion for storytelling began at a young age, writing her first book at just 10 years old.

As the Founder and CEO of Bellybees, Ro began her entrepreneurial journey by creating 100% natural, nutritious food for her son. Her mission to give him the very best evolved into a broader vision: designing books, flashcards, educational toys, craft kits, and games that inspire creativity, foster curiosity, and support screen-free learning for children.

Ro brings a strong academic and professional foundation to her work. She holds an MBA in Business, is certified in Food Technology, and certified in Early Childhood Development, combining expertise in entrepreneurship, communications, brand development, and child education. With over 15 years of experience spanning Canada, the USA, and Sri Lanka, she has successfully built a brand recognized for innovation, quality, and meaningful impact on families.

Her groundbreaking efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including JCI’s Top 10 Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka, Entrepreneur of the Year, and selection as a Global Entrepreneurship Summit candidate, among other national and international awards.

Beyond business, Ro is a passionate advocate for women achievers and has actively worked to uplift children in underprivileged communities. As a public speaker, she shares her expertise on entrepreneurship, storytelling, and business development, inspiring the next generation of creators and leaders.

With a vision to grow Bellybees into a globally recognized brand by 2030, Ro continues to balance her entrepreneurial journey with her love for writing, all while enjoying life in Canada with her husband, two children, and their dog.

Learn more at www.bellybees.com

Rohanthi (Ro) Wijewickrama

Rohanthi Wijewickrama, also known as Ro, is a dynamic entrepreneur, award-winning business leader, and accomplished author. Born in Sri Lanka and now based in Toronto, Canada, Ro’s passion for storytelling began at a young age, when she wrote her first book at just 10 years old. As the Founder and CEO of Bellybees, Ro began her entrepreneurial journey by creating 100% natural, nutritious food for her son. Her desire to give him the very best evolved into a broader vision: designing books, flashcards, educational toys, craft kits, and games that inspire creativity, foster curiosity, and support screen-free learning for children.

View profile →

Related articles

Free every month
CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, November 2026, featuring Ben Osmow, CEO of Osmow's
November 2026 issue out now
Free for Canadian business owners

Get the Magazine and the Tuesday Briefing

Each new issue of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, plus a weekly email with CRA deadlines and grant intakes.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
Free

By downloading you agree to our terms and privacy policy.
· Reader offer

Enter your email to unlock the code. You’ll also get the Tuesday Briefing — unsubscribe anytime.