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Kelly McKenzie worked at her mother’s Vancouver Asian antique store for over a decade. After struggling to make her first sale, she went on to become her mother’s dependable right- hand gal, picking up bookkeeping skills, marathon running and a husband along the way. A cast member of Seattle’s first Listen To Your Mother show, she’s been published in community newspapers across Canada, in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and in various blogs and anthologies. Never, Never, Hardly Ever is a result of Frankie’s endless encouragement to “get our antics out into the world.” Follow Kelly’s whimsy and antics at kellylmckenzie.com, on Instagram @ kellylmckenzie and Facebook @kellymckenzie”
Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Never, Never, Hardly Ever by Kelly McKenzie welcomes us to Frankie Robinson's Oriental Gallery or FROG. The owner, Frankie, or Francine, always has a cup of tea to share, especially on a rainy Vancouver day. In this fascinating store, antique Asian rarities wait for their buyers. Frankie offers a unique payment plan called "Never, Never, Hardly Ever," of which she is very proud. Francine's daughter, Kelly, keeps the books and helps with the sales. Once awkward and uninterested, Kelly learned from her mother, who has a master's degree in Oriental Art History, how to estimate an item and communicate with customers. The mother and the daughter travel to exotic countries, like Thailand, to replenish FROG's collection of antiques, meet many amazing people, and create precious memories. People who come to FROG to spend time with Francine and Kelly are no less interesting than the store's antiques.
Set in the 1980s mainly, Kelly McKenzie's Never, Never, Hardly Ever is not only a captivating read for fans of memoirs and humorous non-fiction. Aspiring business owners and those working in sales will find many handy tips in this great book. Kelly tells us what it takes to become good at sales and that bookkeeping should not scare us, no matter how inexperienced we are. Never, Never, Hardly Ever is a delightfully humorous memoir that is touching and heartwarming when Kelly speaks about a retired elderly nurse named Billie, who became FROG's frequent guest, or the polite Mr. Kamei, who graciously offered her a helping hand during her solo trip to Japan. Kelly lovingly describes her mother and boss, the amazing Francine. She thinks outside the box, knows her business and human nature profoundly, cares about her customers, and loves FROG with all her heart. Eloquently written, Never, Never, Hardly Ever is inspirational, enthralling, and informative at the same time.
