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 company he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign will be the next Toms.


“They add such a pop of color, that they just they’ve created you cheerful.”

Ahmed is referring to the shoes being produced by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – away from a garage. It’s a business 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 in home.

“In 2012, I happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i found these beautiful colored sandals from our market,” he says.

he brought some of the shoes to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on and this happened:

“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments about the shoes.”
The shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to as “Khussas.”

Ahmed’ friends all wanted some – but there was clearly an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made A few dollars each day, hardly enough to fulfill their basic needs, significantly less support a household.

“The effort they put behind these shoes is just significant. These folks were definitely very underpaid for 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 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’re also giving 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 may be seeing these colorful Black flats everywhere:

And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion can make the world a brighter location for everyone.

“I think it brings two cultures together. I think it gets people together that way.”
To learn more about Black flats go to our new site: here