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 in his native Pakistan with this venture, and he’s hoping the business he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign will be the next Toms.
“They add this kind 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 an organization dedicated 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 been visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i came across these beautiful colored sandals in the local market,” he says.
he brought a number of the shoes to NJ, had his girlfriend wear them and this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments around the shoes.”
The shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to 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 a day, hardly enough to satisfy their basic needs, much less support a family group.
“The effort they put behind these shoes is just significant. They were definitely very underpaid for their crafts and skills and that we desired to change that.” Ahmed said.
So in February this season, he launched a Kickstarter campaign for Naraam.
he reached his 10 thousand dollar initial goal within just 30 hours, and raised 62 thousand dollars in every.
That cash goes to paying Naraam artisans above rate for their 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 left or right.
Instead, the leather conforms for your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you could be seeing these colorful peep toe flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion will make the world a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together like that.”
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