Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making original shoes in Pakistan and selling these to a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs as part of his native Pakistan with this particular venture, and he’s hoping the organization he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign would be the next Toms.
“They add such a pop of color, which they just they make you cheerful.”
Ahmed is referring to the sneakers being made by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – out of a garage. It’s a business focused on making shoes, and doing good.
The same as another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration is also Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration originated in home.
“In 2012, I happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i discovered these beautiful colored sandals from our market,” he states.
he brought some of the shoes returning to NJ, had his girlfriend use them and this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received tons of compliments around the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted moobs – but there was clearly an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the shoes only made Three or four dollars per day, hardly enough to fulfill their basic needs, a lot less support a household.
“The effort they place behind these footwear is simply significant. These folks were definitely very underpaid for crafts and skills and we wished to change that.” Ahmed said.
So in February this coming year, he launched a Kickstarter campaign for Naraam.
he reached his 10 thousand dollar initial goal in less than 30 hours, 62 thousand dollars in most.
That money visits paying Naraam artisans above market price for intricate work. Also…
“We are doing profit sharing with them, and we are also supplying them medical benefits,” explained Ahmed.
Naraam footwear is also fun.
No two pairs are alike, and there’s no left or right.
Instead, the leather conforms for your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you might be seeing these colorful Leather flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion is likely to make the entire world a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. I think it gets people together this way.”
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