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 using this venture, and he’s hoping the company he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign will be the next Toms.
“They add this type of pop of color, that they just they create you cheerful.”
Ahmed is referring to these shoes being created by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – out of a garage. It’s a company committed to making shoes, and doing good.
Much 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 i also discovered these beautiful colored sandals from our market,” he states.
he brought a number of the shoes to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on and this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received plenty of compliments around the shoes.”
The shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally called “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted moobs – but there was an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made Three or four dollars a day, hardly enough to satisfy their basic needs, much less support a household.
“The effort they put behind these footwear is merely significant. These were definitely very underpaid for their crafts and skills and that we wished 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, 62 thousand dollars in all.
That money goes to paying Naraam artisans above market value for his or her intricate work. Also…
“We 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 right of left.
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 is likely to make the entire world a brighter location for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together this way.”
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