Jan 1, 2013
Nov 12, 2012
THANKS; Want Free Shoes?
HOMETOWN is now 160 days old, quite young, huh? But we have come long way to this day, and whole of our team thank you for all of your support in past months.
Whether you made a shopping with us, spread word about Hometown, or borrowed books from us. It has worked! You might know we're moving to our new office later this month and making great things like:
1. Selling our shoes & Chappals in over 17 countries.
2. Hired two new guys to make bespoke shoes.
3. Accept PayPal and major credit cards for payments.
4. Launching our mobile site in Dec
5. Awarded as 'Innovation Hero' by Govt. of Punjab and Google Inc.
6. Won P@SHA social innovation fund.
Best of all: Hearts of many friends / customers along the way.
We are now setting bigger goals, such as bringing more craftsmen on board, adding more products and getting into new markets.
Whether you made a shopping with us, spread word about Hometown, or borrowed books from us. It has worked! You might know we're moving to our new office later this month and making great things like:
1. Selling our shoes & Chappals in over 17 countries.
2. Hired two new guys to make bespoke shoes.
3. Accept PayPal and major credit cards for payments.
4. Launching our mobile site in Dec
5. Awarded as 'Innovation Hero' by Govt. of Punjab and Google Inc.
6. Won P@SHA social innovation fund.
Best of all: Hearts of many friends / customers along the way.
We are now setting bigger goals, such as bringing more craftsmen on board, adding more products and getting into new markets.
Oct 18, 2012
Being at Hometown
At its first look, Hometown looks like a Pakistani online store of handmade shoes. But if you dig deeper, you'll find out it is way more than that.
Hometown is more of a philosophy than a company or online store or product. We are not just building a startup but a story where every character is proud of her engagement.
As a social enterprise, we are dedicated not only to generate resources in form of capital but a fundamental commitment to 'roll up our sleeves' and help the handicraft industry to bring the glory again.
Back in 2005 there were around 20 small units and factories making handmade leather sole shoes in Lahore, in now after 7 year there are just four.
It is just a one short story, now think of over 1 million craftsmen around Pakistan who're making nearly 100 kinds of products with their hands. I also would like to mention that Pakistani handicrafts are worldwide famous for their uniqueness, assortment and quality.
Hometown is more of a philosophy than a company or online store or product. We are not just building a startup but a story where every character is proud of her engagement.
As a social enterprise, we are dedicated not only to generate resources in form of capital but a fundamental commitment to 'roll up our sleeves' and help the handicraft industry to bring the glory again.
Back in 2005 there were around 20 small units and factories making handmade leather sole shoes in Lahore, in now after 7 year there are just four.
It is just a one short story, now think of over 1 million craftsmen around Pakistan who're making nearly 100 kinds of products with their hands. I also would like to mention that Pakistani handicrafts are worldwide famous for their uniqueness, assortment and quality.
Sep 24, 2012
We are Growing Fast and Becoming Better Each Day
We can wait for few days, for big news to come and then we’ll share them with people we care, and who care back. This is what I have been thinking, and taking a little break from writing and then 3 solid months pass by.
Yesterday, I wrote this letter to the community around HOMETOWN.
Yesterday, I wrote this letter to the community around HOMETOWN.
1. WON Pakistan’s First Startup Incubation Program
Yes, next month we are shifting to our new office. Out of 500+ startups, HOMETOWN made it to the top position among 4 winners. We’re very thrilled about this opportunity.
2. Now Accepts PayPal and Major Credit Cards
2. Now Accepts PayPal and Major Credit Cards
Sep 8, 2012
Borrow a Book
Why we are doing this? The answer is simple: We are trying to live up to our dreams, and we are trying to return the favours have been given.
So we are taking this small step, if you live in Lahore then you can borrow a book from Hometown, keep it for certain days and then return back. We are starting with two books at the moment.
The best part is, these two books are amazingly interesting, mind blowing and have stories in them. Which are solely written to make people linchpin, and help them deliver happiness.
Let me breifly introduce you about them:
1. LINCHPIN by Seth Godin
It is probably the best book of remarkable Seth Godin. Who is no doubt a gift from heaven to earth. He asks this simple question, 'Are you indispensable?
The best part is, these two books are amazingly interesting, mind blowing and have stories in them. Which are solely written to make people linchpin, and help them deliver happiness.
Let me breifly introduce you about them:
1. LINCHPIN by Seth Godin
It is probably the best book of remarkable Seth Godin. Who is no doubt a gift from heaven to earth. He asks this simple question, 'Are you indispensable?
Sep 4, 2012
Hometown is back, and as 'Innovation Hero'
We can wait for few days, for big news to come and then we'll share them with people we care, and who care back. This is what we have been thinking, and taking a little break from writing and then 2 solid months pass by.
But never worry, we're back, alive, in good shape and happier than ever. In short, HOMETOWN is doing great. We've plenty of big, medium and tiny news to share in coming days. But for now, let me tell one news straight to you. Actually, you have already read that (in title of the post).
On August 16, Provincial Government of Punjab launched Innovation Campaign. The idea behind the campaign is to empower young innovators across Pakistan. The project is led by Punjab Information Technology Board, with support from Google.
In the campaign, Government highlighted success stories of entrepreneurs, called as 'Innovation Heroes'. The individual, or the groups which are doing amazing things using technology, overcoming the odds and grow the country economy.
Among them was our 'HOMETOWN.' Govt appreciated HOMETOWN because of its unique idea, as the folks who're trying to save the industry of craftsmen in Pakistan using technology. In how in just two months, we have sold our dress shoes, and traditional Chappals in 15+ countries around the globe.
Feels so good to be loved. In the video below, you can watch me and our shoe master M Hussain briefing the story, and little of how our Chappal is made. (Click on the CC to turn on Captions)
But never worry, we're back, alive, in good shape and happier than ever. In short, HOMETOWN is doing great. We've plenty of big, medium and tiny news to share in coming days. But for now, let me tell one news straight to you. Actually, you have already read that (in title of the post).
On August 16, Provincial Government of Punjab launched Innovation Campaign. The idea behind the campaign is to empower young innovators across Pakistan. The project is led by Punjab Information Technology Board, with support from Google.
In the campaign, Government highlighted success stories of entrepreneurs, called as 'Innovation Heroes'. The individual, or the groups which are doing amazing things using technology, overcoming the odds and grow the country economy.
Among them was our 'HOMETOWN.' Govt appreciated HOMETOWN because of its unique idea, as the folks who're trying to save the industry of craftsmen in Pakistan using technology. In how in just two months, we have sold our dress shoes, and traditional Chappals in 15+ countries around the globe.
Feels so good to be loved. In the video below, you can watch me and our shoe master M Hussain briefing the story, and little of how our Chappal is made. (Click on the CC to turn on Captions)
Jul 14, 2012
GET FAMILIAR — Bespoke / Custom Shoes
"People ignore design that ignores people." --Frank Chimer
That is fantastic, and I totally agree with Frank's approach towards design. Sense of Individualism has always been a motivating factor in driving our behaviours from shopping a wallet to looking for a spouse. We want a combination of design + style which can express who we are, or what we care about.
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