Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making unique shoes in Pakistan and selling these phones 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 business he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign could be the next Toms.

“They add this kind of pop of color, 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 – away from a garage. It’s a business dedicated to making shoes, and doing good.

Much like another well-known shoe company:

“My inspiration is also Toms,” said Ahmed.

But his initial inspiration came from home.

“In 2012, I were visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i discovered these beautiful colored sandals from your market,” he states.

he brought a number of the shoes back to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on which happened:

“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments around the shoes.”
These shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally known as “Khussas.”

Ahmed’ friends all wanted moobs – but there is an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the shoes only made A few dollars each day, hardly enough to meet their basic needs, a lot less support a household.

“The effort they place behind these footwear is simply significant. These were definitely very underpaid for crafts and skills so we desired 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 most.

That money goes to paying Naraam artisans above market value for their intricate work. Also…

“We are going to do profit sharing with them, and we’re also providing 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 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 will make the world a brighter spot for everyone.

“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together like that.”
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