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 business he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign would be the next Toms.
“They add this kind of pop of color, which they just they create you happy.”
Ahmed is referring to these shoes being created by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – away from a garage. It’s a business committed to making shoes, and doing good.
The same as another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration is also Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration originated in home.
“In 2012, I were visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and i also found these beautiful colored sandals in the local market,” he says.
he brought a number of the shoes back to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on and this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments around the shoes.”
These shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted some – but there was a problem with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made 3 or 4 dollars each day, hardly enough to meet their basic needs, significantly less support a family group.
“The effort they place behind these footwear is merely significant. They were definitely very underpaid for their crafts and skills and we wanted to change that.” Ahmed said.
So in February this coming 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 money would go to paying Naraam artisans above market value for their intricate work. Also…
“We are doing profit sharing using them, and we are also supplying 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 to your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.
Soon you may be seeing these colorful Pointed toe flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion is likely to make the world a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together this way.”
For more information about Pointed toe flats just go to this web page: check