Margaret Hirsch
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The Inspiring Journey of Margaret Hirsch: Empowering Women and Leading the Home Appliance Industry
Margaret Hirsch, the co-founder of Hirsch’s, has become a household name in the South African retail space. Known for her strong advocacy for women’s empowerment and her unparalleled drive to succeed, Margaret’s journey from necessity-driven entrepreneurship to industry leader, serves as a beacon of inspiration. In this interview, she discusses her motivations, challenges, and the principles that have shaped her success.
From Fired to Founder: The Inception of Hirsch's
Margaret’s entry into entrepreneurship was not by choice, but through necessity. Reflecting on how she co-founded Hirsch’s, she explained that her journey began when she was fired from her job for becoming pregnant after five years of marriage. “In those days, that’s what happened” she shared. This unexpected turn of events was initially disheartening, but it soon became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey. “At the time I thought it was the worst thing that could have happened to me” she said, but she later realized it was a blessing in disguise. This forced departure from her job, freed her from the constraints of a “dead-end job” and opened doors for her to “earn a fortune”.
Margaret and Allan Hirsch identified a gap in the market for a reliable home appliance store, and together they founded Hirsch’s, which grew to become a significant player in the South African retail market. Today, it is a success story built from the ground up, with both Hirsch’s leading the way.
Being Welcomed as a Guest Speaker
Championing Women in Business: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs
As a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment, Margaret has always been vocal about her belief in women’s capabilities. She notes, “I have always been a believer that women work harder than men, are more conscientious, and much more resilient.” This belief is embedded in her business philosophy at Hirsch’s. Margaret not only promotes women within her company but also supports female entrepreneurs through networking events held at all Hirsch’s stores.
These events, which happen monthly, give entrepreneurs an opportunity to network, showcase their businesses, and connect with others in the industry. The initiative has been met with great success, fostering a sense of community and offering crucial support to women in business. Through her advocacy, Margaret has created an empowering environment for women in an industry that often presents barriers to their success.
Margaret with Women in Business Networkers
Navigating Challenges in Retail: Overcoming Staffing Issues
Every successful business leader face challenge, and Margaret is no exception. In the competitive and fast-evolving home appliance industry, she highlights staffing as one of the biggest hurdles. Finding employees with a fantastic attitude and a strong work ethic has been particularly challenging, as has the need for constant training.
Training staff in product knowledge, customer service, repairs, and other technical areas requires both time and resources. However, Margaret remains undeterred, emphasizing the importance of a happy workforce. “A happy workforce means happy customers” she asserts. By investing in her team’s development, Margaret ensures that her customers receive the best service, which is key to the company’s continued success.
The Customer Comes First: Prioritizing Customer Experience
Customer experience is at the heart of Hirsch’s operations. Margaret believes that ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty stems from treating each customer as though they are the only customer. This personalized approach has been a cornerstone of Hirsch’s success, setting them apart from competitors.
Margaret shares that their unique hiring approach—prioritizing attitude over skills—has played a pivotal role in maintaining high standards of customer service. “We hire for attitude, not for skills, as skills can be taught, but a positive attitude shows a good state of mind” This mindset underscores the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction. Ongoing training for employees in various aspects of the business ensures they are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of customers, from sales to repairs.
Looking to the Future: Trends in the Home Appliance Industry
As a seasoned player in the home appliance industry, Margaret has a keen eye on the future. She acknowledges that the industry is constantly evolving, with new and innovative products emerging every day. The challenge lies in deciding which products to stock and ensuring they align with the needs of their customers.
“Ours is an ever-changing industry—never a day goes by that we are not inundated with new products” she explains. However, Hirsch’s remains committed to offering the best products at competitive prices, ensuring they stay ahead of trends and continue to meet customer demands.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Building a Solid Foundation
When asked for advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, Margaret’s response is simple yet profound: “Start small, never borrow, and start today with whatever you have, but just start”. She emphasizes the importance of growing a business incrementally, brick by brick, and reinvesting profits into the business rather than splurging on luxury items too early.
Her philosophy of financial independence resonates deeply. Margaret believes that financial independence is key to empowerment, particularly for women. Her mission in life is clear: “To ensure that every woman on the continent of Africa is financially independent”. Financial independence, she explains, allows women to provide for themselves and their families, make their own choices, and ultimately build a life of dignity and self-sufficiency.
Margaret's Vision: Empowering African Women
Margaret’s vision extends far beyond the walls of her business. Her life mission revolves around ensuring that African women achieve financial independence. In her words, “A financially independent woman can provide accommodation for herself and her family. She can feed, clothe, and educate them, and she can make her own choices”. This belief fuels her advocacy efforts, and her actions speak to her commitment to lifting women up and helping them achieve their full potential.
Margaret’s story is one of resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Through Hirsch’s, she has not only built a successful business but also fostered an environment where women can thrive and achieve financial independence. Her leadership, both in business and in advocacy, serves as a powerful example of how passion, determination, and a clear sense of purpose can shape a better future.
Margaret Hirsch’s insights provide a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of starting small, investing in people, and keeping customers at the forefront. Her journey from adversity to success, combined with her ongoing mission to empower women across Africa, makes her a true trailblazer in the retail and business world.
