About the store

It's time to get to know more about the store.

I care about the world

Hello to all of you, dear customers, who have been following me for years. I also welcome all those who will join over time.

My name is Nancy Vlayen, born in Quebec to a Belgian father and a Montrealer mother. I love the piano, nature, and working with my hands.

This is what motivated my approach

The Boutique was founded in 2007 thanks to a reflection on the St. Lawrence River. That year, my husband and I lived on the fourth floor of a condominium in Longueuil (south shore of Montreal). We were a few minutes' bike ride from the St. Lawrence River. It was the year its level had dropped to such an extent that we could walk on its bed up to halfway between the two banks.

One day, we decided to go for a bike ride on the bike path along the river, and we decided to go down to the bank. Imagine our sorrow at finding every ten steps: tampon applicators, condoms, and the plastic film from disposable sanitary pads. Yes, our River revealed its parasites to us.

Motivated to change my habits and promote responsible consumption, my first store for washable sanitary pads was born that year.

The names of the store over time

At that time, the name of the store was: "La trame et la chaîne" (The warp and the weft), referring to the fabrics used to make sanitary pads and panty liners.

Since almost no one seemed to know what a warp thread and a weft thread on a loom were, I decided to change the name to: "Les couches Fan Fan" (Fan Fan Diapers), a name that suited well, as I had added baby diapers to the store.

It's growing

Over time, an additional request was added: diapers... for adults. In addition to baby diapers, I therefore also added this range to the store.

It bothers some people

I was asked several times to send the order without adding the name of my business, which seemed to make some people uncomfortable. Indeed, I imagine having an order delivered to your workplace with "LES COUCHES FAN FAN" (FAN FAN DIAPERS) displayed in large letters.

We don't display on our forehead: "I AM INCONTINENT." Since I was already using the name: "Boutique Fan Fan," I therefore decided to use this name for the website www.boutiquefanfan.ca (boutiquefanfan.com at the time).

More space

In 2009, we moved to a house with a basement in Victoriaville (between Quebec City and Montreal), which allowed me to have more space to work. This move allowed me to acquire some industrial machines. Consequently, production is improving day by day. I thank my husband for his patience and support. Anyway, he always has the garage to work in.

The PUL crisis

It's a struggle! That year, a crisis hit all of North America; I was unable to find the raw material for diapers (as well as the waterproof part of my sanitary pads). Would you believe me if I told you that I spent two whole years searching everywhere for the famous PUL (polyurethane laminated with polyester), this fabric used in the manufacture of cloth diapers?

Indeed, my only supplier (in Ontario) was liquidating with the intention of closing down without warning. I could see that their online store was thinning out and that orders were taking months to be received.

However, an American company bought this business in 2012, which allowed me to continue production.

I'm focusing on my first loves

At 56, I decided to reorganize my schedule to respect my health and my family. I decided to leave the baby and adult diaper ranges to others. I am now concentrating on washable sanitary pads and everything that surrounds them. In this way, I keep smiling to serve you.

I'm retiring at 60... Mmm, that's what I thought.

I closed my store in 2022 for personal reasons. But I decided to open it again this year (2026) to focus on reusable sanitary pads.

I think I've found a balance between my personal life and my work. I'm happy to be able to continue offering you reusable sanitary pads made in Quebec!

My personal analysis

I can confirm that most people genuinely care about the well-being of their family and the planet, as I have had the opportunity to receive many very positive comments on my approach. I accepted all constructive comments, which encouraged me to improve the quality of my products.

Over time, I have worked with many wonderful people and built a warm working environment, but above all, one of mutual respect.

I wish you a pleasant visit to the site!

Here are the formal introductions

Nancy, owner of the store, Réal Roy, my husband and handyman, François Fontaine my son and computer troubleshooting technician, Kim Godbout Gauthier, our drawing artist, who contributed to the logo and other designs related to the store, and Mélanie Grenier (photo coming soon), an excellent graphic designer who contributed to the design of my packaging sold in stores.

Nancy Vlayen