Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making unique shoes in Pakistan and selling them to a western market. Ahmed is paying sustainable wages and creating jobs in his native Pakistan with this venture, and he’s hoping the business he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign could be the next Toms.
“They add such a pop of color, that they just they make you cheerful.”
Ahmed is referring to these shoes being produced by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – out of a garage. It’s an organization dedicated to making shoes, and doing good.
Just like another well-known shoe company:
“My inspiration can also be Toms,” said Ahmed.
But his initial inspiration originated in home.
“In 2012, I been visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and i also discovered these beautiful colored sandals from our market,” he says.
he brought a few of the shoes back to NJ, had his girlfriend wear them and this happened:
“Everywhere she went she received a lot of compliments about the shoes.”
The shoes are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally called “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted some – but there was clearly an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the shoes only made Three or four dollars per day, hardly enough to satisfy their basic needs, a lot less support a family.
“The effort they place behind these footwear is merely significant. These folks were definitely very underpaid for his or her crafts and skills and that 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 within just 30 hours, 62 thousand dollars in most.
That money goes to paying Naraam artisans above market value for their 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 right or left.
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 entire world a brighter location for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together like that.”
To read more about peep toe flats go to see this web page: click for more info
