Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making one of a kind shoes in Pakistan and selling these to a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs in his native Pakistan with this venture, and he’s hoping the business he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign will be the next Toms.
“They add such a pop of color, they just they create you content.”
Ahmed is discussing these shoes being made by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – away from a garage. It’s an organization dedicated to making shoes, and doing good.
The same as another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration can also be Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration came from home.
“In 2012, I been visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and i also discovered these beautiful colored sandals from our market,” he says.
he brought a few of the shoes returning to NJ, had his girlfriend wear them and this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received tons of compliments around the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally known as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted some – but there was a problem with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made 3 or 4 dollars each day, hardly enough to meet their basic needs, a lot less support a family.
“The effort they put behind these shoes is simply significant. They were definitely very underpaid for his or her crafts and skills so we wished to change that.” Ahmed said.
So in February this year, he launched a Kickstarter campaign for Naraam.
he reached his 10 thousand dollar initial goal within just 30 hours, 62 thousand dollars in most.
That money would go to paying Naraam artisans above rate for his or her intricate work. Also…
“We are doing profit sharing together, and we are also supplying them medical benefits,” explained Ahmed.
Naraam footwear is also fun.
No two pairs are alike, and there’s no right of left.
Instead, the leather conforms in your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you may be seeing these colorful Pointed toe flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion can make the entire world a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. I think it gets people together that way.”
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