Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making unique shoes in Pakistan and selling them to a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs in the native Pakistan using this venture, and he’s hoping the business he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign would be the next Toms.
“They add such a pop of color, that they just they’ve created you content.”
Ahmed is discussing the sneakers being made by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – from a garage. It’s a company focused on making shoes, and doing good.
Just like another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration can also be Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration came from home.
“In 2012, I were visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i found these beautiful colored sandals in the local market,” he admits that.
he brought a few of the shoes to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on which happened:
“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments about the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally known as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted a pair – but there was clearly 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, a lot less support a family.
“The effort they put behind these sneakers is simply significant. These folks were definitely very underpaid for their crafts and skills and we wanted 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 cash goes to paying Naraam artisans above rate for their intricate work. Also…
“We are going to do profit sharing using them, and we are also providing them medical benefits,” explained Ahmed.
Naraam shoes are also fun.
No two pairs are alike, and there’s no right or left.
Instead, the leather conforms for your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you may be seeing these colorful peep toe flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion will make the entire world a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together like that.”
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