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 with this particular venture, and he’s hoping the organization he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign would be the next Toms.
“They add this type of pop of color, which they just they make you happy.”
Ahmed is discussing the shoes being produced by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – from a garage. It’s a company 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 happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and that i found these beautiful colored sandals from your market,” he states.
he brought a few of the shoes back to NJ, had his girlfriend put them on which happened:
“Everywhere she went she received tons of compliments on the shoes.”
The sneakers 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 sneakers only made A few dollars a day, hardly enough to meet their basic needs, much less support a family.
“The effort they place behind these sneakers 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 in under 30 hours, and raised 62 thousand dollars in most.
That money would go to paying Naraam artisans above rate for their intricate work. Also…
“We are doing profit sharing together, and we’re also giving 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 in 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 world a brighter place for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together like that.”
To learn more about peep toe flats explore this popular web page: click