Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making unique 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 venture, and he’s hoping the organization he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign could be the next Toms.
“They add this type of pop of color, which they just they’ve created you happy.”
Ahmed is talking about the shoes being made by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – out of a garage. It’s a business committed to making shoes, and doing good.
Just like another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration can be Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration originated from home.
“In 2012, I were visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i discovered these beautiful colored sandals from your market,” he states.
he brought some of the shoes returning to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on which happened:
“Everywhere she went she received plenty of compliments on the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted a pair – but there was a problem with simply importing them. The artisans making the shoes only made 3 or 4 dollars a day, hardly enough to fulfill their basic needs, much less support a household.
“The effort installed 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 coming year, he launched a Kickstarter campaign for Naraam.
he reached his 10 thousand dollar initial goal in under 30 hours, 62 thousand dollars in all.
Those funds goes to paying Naraam artisans above market value for his or her intricate work. Also…
“We are doing profit sharing together, and we’re also providing 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 for your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you might be seeing these colorful peep toe flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion is likely to make the planet a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. I think it gets people together that way.”
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