Naraam wants to function as the next Toms

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 with this venture, and he’s hoping the organization he’s launched with a Kickstarter campaign could be the next Toms.

“They add this type of pop of color, that 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 an organization dedicated to making shoes, and doing good.

Just 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 in the local market,” he says.

he brought some of the shoes back to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on and this happened:

“Everywhere she went she received plenty of compliments around the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally referred to as “Khussas.”

Ahmed’ friends all wanted some – but there was clearly a problem with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made 3 or 4 dollars a day, hardly enough to fulfill their basic needs, a lot less support a family.

“The effort they put behind these shoes is just significant. These folks were definitely very underpaid for his or her crafts and skills and 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, and raised 62 thousand dollars in all.

That cash would go to paying Naraam artisans above market value for their intricate work. Also…

“We do profit sharing together, and we are also giving them medical benefits,” explained Ahmed.

Naraam shoes are 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 may be seeing these colorful Black 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 info about Black flats see this useful web portal: read more