In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Rohanthi (Ro) Wijewickrama, Founder & CEO of Bellybees, shares how a deeply personal parenting choice evolved into a purpose-driven children’s brand redefining early learning and nutrition. What began as a desire to offer her son clean, nourishing food has grown into a holistic platform supporting families through screen-free education, creativity, and intentional childhood development.
Interview By Kripa Anand
Rohanthi (Ro) Wijewickrama – Founder & CEO of Bellybees Entrepreneur | Author | Public Speaker 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.
Bellybees started with you simply wanting the very best, most natural food for your son and has now grown into a full children’s brand. How would you describe the Bellybees journey so far, and what core mission continues to guide every product you create?
Bellybees started from a very simple, deeply personal place. As a mother, I wanted the very best for my son—real, natural food made with care and intention. I couldn’t always find products that aligned with my values, so I began creating them myself. What started in my kitchen as baby food made with love slowly evolved into something bigger as I began to understand that raising healthy children goes far beyond nutrition alone.
As my journey as a parent grew, so did my vision for Bellybees. I saw a need for products that support not just healthy bodies, but curious minds too. That realization led Bellybees to expand into screen-free educational products like flashcards, storybooks, puzzles, and creative activity kits—tools designed to encourage learning through play and meaningful connection.
The heart of Bellybees has never changed. Every product we create is guided by one core mission: to nourish children holistically while supporting families in raising confident, curious little humans. We focus on natural ingredients, thoughtful design, and age-appropriate learning, always keeping parents and children at the center of every decision. Bellybees is more than a brand—it’s a reflection of my journey as a mother, built on care, creativity, and the belief that small, intentional choices can shape a child’s world.
Screen-free learning is central to your work, from storybooks and flashcards to craft kits and games. Why is limiting screen time so important to you, and how do your products help children build curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills?
Screen-free learning matters deeply to me because I’ve seen how powerful simple, hands-on moments can be in a child’s life. As a parent, I wanted my child to grow up curious, confident, and connected—not constantly distracted by a screen. While screens are part of our world, I believe early childhood should be rooted in real experiences: touching, building, imagining, and figuring things out in their own time.
When children play without screens, they learn to focus, to be patient, and to trust their own ideas. That’s where creativity truly begins. With Bellybees, every storybook, flashcard, puzzle, and craft kit is designed to invite children to slow down and engage with the world around them. Turning pages, matching letters, creating something with their hands—these moments build problem-solving skills in a natural, joyful way.
Our products encourage children to ask questions, experiment, and learn through play rather than passive watching. They also create opportunities for parents and children to connect, talk, and learn together, which is just as important. At the heart of Bellybees is the belief that childhood should be hands-on, imaginative, and full of discovery. By limiting screen time, we give children the space to grow into curious, creative thinkers who are confident in exploring the real world.
Bellybees now offers everything from educational flashcards and puzzles to activity kits and early learning books, alongside a growing line of baby and toddler foods. Can you walk us through a few of your most popular products and what makes them different from what’s already in the market?
At Bellybees, every product begins with the same question: How will this truly support a child’s growth and a family’s everyday life? That mindset has shaped a collection of products that are both practical and purposeful.
One of our standout favourites is the Bellybees Scavenger Hunt Kit. It’s designed to get children moving, observing, and thinking—whether indoors or outdoors. Instead of passive play, kids are encouraged to explore their surroundings, follow clues, and problem-solve along the way. It builds curiosity, language skills, and confidence, while turning everyday spaces into exciting learning environments families can enjoy together.
Our educational flashcards and puzzles are another customer favourite. They’re thoughtfully designed to support early literacy, number recognition, and fine motor skills without overwhelming young learners. The focus is on discovery and conversation, not memorization.
We also offer hands-on activity kits and early learning books that invite creativity, storytelling, and imaginative play, giving children the freedom to explore ideas in their own way.
Alongside learning tools, our infant cereal holds a special place in the Bellybees story. Made with simple, nourishing ingredients, it was created to give parents a clean, wholesome option during one of the most important stages of development. Just like our learning products, it’s rooted in care, quality, and trust.
What sets Bellybees apart is intention—every product supports whole-child development, from the first bite to the first big ideas.
You’re an entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and a mom building an international brand that began in Sri Lanka and now operates from Canada. How have your personal story and multicultural background shaped the way you think about early childhood development, imagination, and family connection?
My personal story is deeply woven into everything I create at Bellybees. Growing up in Sri Lanka and later building my life and business in Canada has given me a unique perspective on childhood, family, and learning. In both cultures, I saw how important community, storytelling, shared meals, and time together are in shaping a child’s sense of security and imagination. Those early experiences stayed with me, even as my world expanded.
As a mother and an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that early childhood development isn’t one-size-fits-all. Children thrive when they feel seen, connected, and free to explore at their own pace. My multicultural background has taught me to value simplicity, warmth, and intention—things that don’t rely on trends or technology, but on human connection. Imagination is sparked through stories passed down, hands-on play, and everyday moments spent together, not through constant stimulation.
Building Bellybees across borders has reinforced my belief that families everywhere want the same things: to raise kind, curious children and to feel supported along the way. My journey continues to shape how I approach every product and story—always with empathy, inclusivity, and the understanding that the strongest learning happens when families are truly connected.
Looking ahead to 2030, what future products or expansions excite you most — whether it’s infant food in Canada, new learning tools, or global growth — and what final piece of advice would you share with small and mid-sized business owners who want to build brands that are both purpose-driven and scalable?
Looking ahead to 2030, I’m incredibly excited about where Bellybees can grow while staying true to its heart. One of our biggest goals is expanding our infant and toddler food line in Canada, making clean, nourishing options more accessible to families who are looking for transparency and quality they can trust. Food is where Bellybees began, and continuing to grow in that space feels both meaningful and full circle.
At the same time, I’m excited about developing new learning tools that go even deeper into screen-free, hands-on experiences—products that support emotional development, creativity, and problem-solving as children grow. We’re also exploring ways to bring Bellybees to more families globally, building partnerships that allow us to grow internationally without losing the personal, thoughtful approach that defines our brand.
For small and mid-sized business owners, my biggest piece of advice is this: lead with purpose, but build with intention, Do not be afraid to fail, and treat every experience as an educational one. Your mission should guide every decision, but systems, consistency, and scalability matter just as much. Stay close to your customer, listen deeply, and don’t chase trends that pull you away from your values. Growth doesn’t have to mean losing your soul—when you build with clarity and care, your brand can scale while still making a real impact.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Our platform is dedicated to fostering dialogue and sharing insights that inspire and empower small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
