Naraam really wants to function as the next Toms

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 as part of his native Pakistan with this venture, and he’s hoping the organization he’s launched having a Kickstarter campaign would be the next Toms.

“They add this kind of pop of color, they just they create you cheerful.”

Ahmed is referring to the sneakers 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.

Just like another well-known shoe company:

“My inspiration can be Toms,” said Ahmed.

But his initial inspiration originated in home.

“In 2012, I happened to be visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and I found these beautiful colored sandals from your market,” he states.

he brought a few of the shoes returning to NJ, had his girlfriend use them and this happened:

“Everywhere she went she received plenty of compliments on the shoes.”
The sneakers are handmade in Pakistan. They’re traditionally called “Khussas.”

Ahmed’ friends all wanted a pair – but there is a problem with simply importing them. The artisans making the sneakers only made Three or four dollars per day, hardly enough to fulfill their basic needs, significantly less support a family.

“The effort they place behind these sneakers is merely significant. They were definitely very underpaid for crafts and skills so we wanted 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 within just 30 hours, 62 thousand dollars in most.

That cash goes to paying Naraam artisans above market price 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 right of left.

Instead, the leather conforms for your foot. Also, Naraam adds extra padding for comfort.

Soon you could be seeing these colorful peep toe flats everywhere:

And Ahmed believes bringing these eastern shoes into western fashion is likely to make the world a brighter place for everyone.

“I think it brings two cultures together. It gets people together like that.”
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