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 using a Kickstarter campaign will be the next Toms.
“They add this type of pop of color, which they just they make you content.”
Ahmed is talking about the shoes being made by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – from a garage. It’s a company focused on 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 happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and i also found 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 on the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally known as “Khussas.”
Ahmed’ friends all wanted a pair – but there is an issue with simply importing them. The artisans making the shoes only made Three or four dollars a day, hardly enough to fulfill their basic needs, a lot less support a household.
“The effort they place behind these footwear is simply significant. They were definitely very underpaid for crafts and skills and that we wanted 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, and raised 62 thousand dollars in most.
Those funds visits paying Naraam artisans above market value for his or her intricate work. Also…
“We are going to do profit sharing with them, and we’re also supplying 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 may be seeing these colorful peep toe flats everywhere:
And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion will make the planet a brighter spot for everyone.
“I think it brings two cultures together. I think it gets people together this way.”
For additional information about Leather flats have a look at our site: click site