Naraam desires to be the next Toms

Ahmed Raza is co-founder of Naraam, a Nj-area startup that’s making original 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 company he’s launched using a Kickstarter campaign could be the next Toms.

“They add this kind of pop of color, which they just they’ve created you happy.”

Ahmed is referring to the shoes being produced by his new company Naraam, a NJ-area startup being run – yes – away from a garage. It’s a business focused on 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 been visiting my hometown in Pakistan, Karachi, and i also discovered these beautiful colored sandals from our market,” he states.

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

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

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

“The effort they put behind these footwear is just significant. These were definitely very underpaid for his or her crafts and skills so we wished to change that.” Ahmed said.

So in February this coming year, he launched a Kickstarter campaign for Naraam.

he reached his 10 thousand dollar initial goal in less than 30 hours, and raised 62 thousand dollars in most.

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

“We do profit sharing together, and we are also providing 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 might be seeing these colorful Leather 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 that way.”
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