Over the past four and a half decades, I’ve watched retail evolve in ways we never imagined possible, from handwritten invoices and Sunday newspaper ads (as well as being on the back page of the local newspapers) to e-commerce, apps, social media, and AI. It’s always been my belief that if something can make your life better, why not embrace it? I remember getting the first ever cellphone in Durban which was the size of a brick and being so proud to show people that I could talk to the office from their homes! We have always tried to be ahead of the pack, way back from the time we introduced the microwave oven to peoples homes by starting the first independent microwave cookery school in South Africa. Even now we run workshops in our Samsung stores for clients who want to get the most out of their new cellphones, nothing is too simple – I showed a 90 year old how to use Whatsapp to speak to his great-grandchildren in Australia on Facetime and he got such a kick out of it!!
Success, real, sustainable, meaningful success, is a slow burn. And I say that as someone who built and still runs a successful retail business from the ground up in South Africa… and who is now starting a second career in a brand new industry, in a new country, at a new stage in life.
Everywhere you look online, people are sharing six-week transformations, seven-figure launches, and "quick wins." And while those stories are inspiring, they often skip the long, messy middle, the years of unseen effort, trial and error, and learning the hard way.
When we started Hirsch's, there were no hacks. Just hustle. We didn’t have a fancy office or a marketing team. We had a dream, a strong work ethic, and the belief that if we kept showing up, day after day, things would grow. And they did, slowly at first, and then with momentum.
Now, as I build my real estate career in Florida, I’m reminded again that the basics never go out of style: relationships, service, consistency. It’s not about how fast you rise, it’s about how strong your foundation is.
The entrepreneurs who win long-term are the ones who understand the power of delayed gratification. They build systems, nurture relationships, learn their craft, and keep showing up even when the likes, leads, and sales are slow.
Success isn’t a sprint, it’s a series of marathons. And each step you take matters more than the ones you skip.
Rushing to scale too fast can break a business. Skipping over foundational work like customer experience, culture, or brand clarity can cost you more in the long run. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve also learned that the businesses people trust the most are the ones built with care and consistency, not speed.
So if you’re building something right now and it feels slow… you’re probably doing it right. Stay focused. Stay committed. Keep the fire burning, even if it’s just embers some days. Because when the slow burn finally catches, it creates something that lasts.
Let the others microwave their success. You? You’re cooking a legacy.
Much Love,
Margaret Hirsch
Margaret Hirsch is the Executive Director of the Hirsch’s Group, the largest independently owned Appliance and Electronics retail outlet in Southern Africa that is now in its 45th year. She is already the enviable recipient of many international and local awards for her business, social and charitable work which has uplifted communities around the country. For many years, she has been heavily involved with Women and Youth Empowerment projects throughout Southern Africa. Margaret is passionate about women in business and entrepreneurship. She runs networking clubs at all her branches for Women In Business, encouraging mentorship programmes. Her door is always open to women who want advice on how to make their businesses grow. www.margarethirsch.co.za
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