Meet Allan Hirsch
FOURWAYS – The Fourways Review recently had the opportunity to talk to Allan Hirsch about the family business, what it takes to be a success and his journey so far.
Today he’s a self-made businessman, the head of an appliance empire and patriarch of one of the most well-known families in South Africa. But Allan Hirsch believes two simple things –hard work and the human connection, which is what has made his business so successful.
There are a total of 22 Hirsch’s stores around South Africa today, with their distinctive blue logo and a wide variety of appliances on offer. But it started with only one, a tiny storeroom in Durban with a blue and white sign over the door which read ‘Hirsch’s Electrical Repairs’ and opened in 1979. Allan struggled in school due to dyslexia, eventually dropping out to instead complete an apprenticeship in appliance repairs.
“After finishing my apprenticeship and also making a lot of excuses for myself as to why I couldn’t start a business, in 1979 I opened my own little appliance repair shop fixing fridges, microwaves etc,” Allan told Fourways Review.
“People came to us for that ‘family feeling business’, my wife [Margaret] would do the demonstrations, and I would do the repairs.”
A family feeling is central to Hirsch’s business model. Even after all these years, Allan, Margaret, his son Richard (the managing director) and daughter Luci Hirsch (brand manager) make sure they are part of new staff inductions. The decision to give the family business the Hirsch’s name was something that developed over time.
A quick interview with Robyn Kirk from the @Fourways_Review pic.twitter.com/CkbFePf9gk
— Allan Hirsch (@Allan_Hirsch) August 1, 2018
“Using the Hirsch’s name has its pros and cons. We’re very proud of it, but at the same time, it can be awkward if someone [from the company] does something wrong.
“When issues do arise, I believe we must deal with them as quickly and honestly as possible. If a mistake happens a good businessman admits it, fixes it and then moves forward.”
His methods seem to be working, as Hirsch’s has seen steady growth since that first shop 39 years ago. One newly opened store followed another until the family decided to open a branch in Johannesburg. In 2002, the Hirsch’s Home Store in Fourways was opened to the public.
“The land where this store is now was actually a little farm. There were goats and chickens running around here. Down the road were stables and horses, and across the road, there was an ostrich farm. We came to this area because we believed there was potential, Fourways had the right type of clientele and it was a growing community. It’s our premium store, it’s our flagship store.”
Despite the size of Hirsch’s, he believes that simplicity is key to his success.
“It takes two things to make a business a success – firstly, make sure you look after people, and secondly, work hard. I believe we have to give superb service to people in the store, we have to make them feel special and the human touch is so important.”
Now at 71 years old, Allan is taking a step back from his work and has handed over a lot of his duties to others. He is careful to explain that he has no plans to retire just yet but will do so in a few years.
“I’m still going to be around for a while, but my aim is to grow the team so that they can take over. Then I will become a professional sports-watcher and grandchild chauffeur,” he concluded with a laugh.
#DidYouKnow?
- In 1972, Allan and Margaret get married
- In 1976, Richard Hirsch is born. He is now the managing director of Hirsch’s Home Store
- In 1978, Luci Hirsch is born. She is now brand manager for Hirsch’s
- In 1979, First Hirsch’s store opens in Durban, called Hirsch’s Electrical Appliances
- In 2002, Hirsch’s Home Store is opened in Fourways. It was the first branch in Joburg and is considered their flagship store.
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