Margaret Hirsch – Chief Operations Executive, Hirsch’s. Appliance, Electronic and Air conditioning giants, Hirsch’s is the biggest independently owned retail outlet in these categories in Southern Africa, with 12 branches throughout South Africa and 5 concept stores.
Co Founder of Hirsch’s Margaret was announced South Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business (RETAIL) and Government in 2011
In 2012 she was Business Woman’s Association of South Africa (BWASA)’s Business Woman of the Year (Entrepreneur) She also received a Lady ROCCI (Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce) Gold Award for Business Woman of the Year, 2012
In 2013 She received the Business Excellence Award from the Ekurhuleni Business Initiative and Captains of Industry Forum.She has become a sought after motivational speaker and is a champion of women’s Empowerment.
MARGARET HIRSCH WINS TOP AWARD FOR WHOLESALE AND RETAIL INDUSTRY
Margaret, won the Wholesale & Retail category of SA’s Most influential Women in Business & Government Awards 2011. This was a countrywide competition run by the CEO group (Celebrating Excellence in Organisation). The nomination was by public vote – online and through CEO’s publications.
A well deserved accolade for a woman who helped found the family’s mega appliance store 33 years ago. There are now 12 Hirsch branches throughout Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng (Cape Town is in the pipline). As Chief Operations Executive at Hirsch’s Margaret is integrally involved with all aspects of the business.
Experience
Chief Operating Officer
In 1979, Margaret Hirsch helped found the family’s mega appliance store, Hirsch’s, of which there are now 12 branches throughout Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng and Cape Town. As Chief Operations Executive at Hirsch’s she is integrally involved with all aspects of the business.
Margaret is a champion of women’s empowerment, and someone who firmly believes in giving back to the community, especially to people in a less fortunate situation, having been there once herself. When she was 12 her father died leaving her mother to fend for herself and two small children. Margaret’s strong sense of survival and her positive attitude helped pull her little family through the tough times. Having had to battle from an early age, she found that it is possible, through share determination and a positive attitude, to get ahead and now all Hirsch’s staff members are encouraged to better themselves and are shown that by uplifting themselves they will ultimately uplift those around them.
Margaret regards herself as a “jack of all trades”. Having done the selling, invoicing, demonstrating, being a delivery person on the trucks, installing and demonstrating in customers homes and generally taking care of everything at Hirschs for the past 31 years. “We have built Hirsch’s from a tiny little “mom and pop’s” store to a billion rand company and I hope that I will be an inspiration to others to know that they can live their dreams as well.” she says.
Honors & Awards
South Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in the retail and wholesale sector in 2011
CEO Magazine.
Business Woman of the Year (Entrepreneur) 2012
Business Woman’s Association of South Africa (BWASA)’s
This competition started 34 years ago (co-incidentally when the Hirsch’s opened their first branch)
Lady ROCCI (Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce) Gold Award for Business Woman of the Year, 2012
Achievements as business woman and entrepreneur.
Business Excellence Award from the Ekurhuleni Business Initiative and Captains of Industry Forum
2013
The Ekurhuleni Business Initiative (EBI). This award was presented to Margaret for her positive attitude towards economic Development.