Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making one of a kind shoes in Pakistan and selling these to a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs as part of his native Pakistan using this venture, and he’s hoping the company he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign could be the next Toms.
“They add such a pop of color, they just they make you cheerful.”
Ahmed is discussing the sneakers being produced by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – away from a garage. It’s a business focused on 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 been 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 returning to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on which happened:
“Everywhere she went she received tons of compliments about the shoes.”
These shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted a pair – but there was an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made A few dollars per day, hardly enough to meet their basic needs, significantly less support a family group.
“The effort they place behind these shoes is just significant. They 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 less than 30 hours, and raised 62 thousand dollars in most.
That money goes to paying Naraam artisans above rate for his or her intricate work. Also…
“We do profit sharing together, and we’re also supplying 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 to 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 planet a brighter place for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together that way.”
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