Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making original shoes in Pakistan and selling these phones a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs in the 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 this type of pop of color, that they just they make you happy.”
Ahmed is referring to these shoes being created by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – from a garage. It’s a business committed to making shoes, and doing good.
The same as another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration can be Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration came from home.
“In 2012, I happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i discovered these beautiful colored sandals from your market,” he admits that.
he brought a few of the shoes to NJ, had his girlfriend use them and also this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments about the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally called “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted a pair – but there was an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made 3 or 4 dollars a day, hardly enough to meet their basic needs, significantly less support a family.
“The effort they put behind these shoes is just significant. These were definitely very underpaid for their 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, and raised 62 thousand dollars in most.
That money visits paying Naraam artisans above rate for their intricate work. Also…
“We do profit sharing together, and we’re also giving them medical benefits,” explained Ahmed.
Naraam footwear is also fun.
No two pairs are alike, and there’s no right or left.
Instead, the leather conforms to your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you could be seeing these colorful Leather flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion will make the planet a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together this way.”
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