Yesteryear’s marketing whiz Hirsch still strong at 70

He made his mark on appliance retailing decades ago – and at an age when most have retired, he still has much to offer the world.

ALLAN Hirsch, who founded appliance/ electronics store Hirsch’s 38 years ago, turns 70 this month and is still impressing.

Gym and care combined with a balanced diet have a lot to do with him not looking his age.

He exudes energy and his approach to life clearly keeps him young. “Staying young is between the ears – it’s attitude,” he says, though he admits he hasn’t always been health-conscious.

“In my 40s, my ambition was to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I knew I needed to be fit to do so. So I started running, but pulled a calf muscle because I didn’t get the basics right.

“I ended up getting a trainer and starting gym. When I turned 50, I headed up Kilimanjaro and it was such an amazing experience that it got me hooked on hiking.

“Machu Picchu in Peru was next, then, a few years ago, Everest base camp.”

He has now set his sights on Mont Blanc, France.

Both he and his wife, Margaret, are still heavily involved with running Hirsch’s – they have 20 branches and concept stores around the country and fly between KZN, Gauteng and the Cape every week, with a week spent out of the country, sourcing new products.

They start their day at 4.30am, with Allan heading to the gym for a 40-minute session on the treadmill. He also does knee, chest, back and leg muscle exercises, and sometimes will attend Pilates classes.

Then he heads back home and whips up a smoothie – usually broccoli, avocado, nuts, celery, fruit and a raw egg.

His daily supplements include Omega 3 and vitamins B and D.

Lunch is a protein and salad, and dinner a stir fry with veggies and meat, fish or chicken.

He confesses to the odd midmorning binge on cheese and has a weakness for good coffee.

Long passionate about cricket – he used to play league, and then socially in Durban – today he is a proud sponsor, supporter and spectator, watching the Proteas play whenever he can.

“I got involved with the sponsorship of local players back in the day when some of our players were leaving the province as there was no incentive to stay.

“It has given me a lot of pleasure watching some of the people Hirsch’s supported over the years grow from strength to strength – and pass on their knowledge and skills to younger players who are now representing our country.”

Allan considers his dyslexia (he was diagnosed in his mid-20s) as a gift. It made him think laterally and he has strived to stay on top of his game with everything he does because of it.

He reads three books a month – mostly motivational – and keeps up to date with products coming onto the market.

“I really enjoy talking to customers about the products we sell and advising how to get the most out of them,” he says.

Does he ever plan to retire? “It hasn’t really entered my head. I love my life and the business.

“There may come a time when I will prefer spending time watching my grandsons (the Hirsch’s have five) play sport, but right now I think I have the balance just right.”