Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making original shoes in Pakistan and selling them to a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs in his native Pakistan with this particular venture, and he’s hoping the organization he’s launched with a Kickstarter campaign would be the next Toms.
“They add such a pop of color, that they just they make you content.”
Ahmed is referring to the sneakers being created by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – from a garage. It’s a company committed to making shoes, and doing good.
Much like another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration can also be Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration originated from home.
“In 2012, I happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i came across these beautiful colored sandals in the local market,” he says.
he brought some of the shoes back to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on 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 moobs – but there was an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making these shoes only made Three or four dollars each day, hardly enough to satisfy their basic needs, a lot less support a family group.
“The effort they place behind these footwear is simply significant. These were definitely very underpaid for their crafts and skills and 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 in under 30 hours, 62 thousand dollars in all.
Those funds would go to paying Naraam artisans above market value for intricate work. Also…
“We do profit sharing together, and we are also supplying them medical benefits,” explained Ahmed.
Naraam shoes are 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 might 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 place for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together that way.”
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