The Nomad is a series of stories, fascinations, encounters, observations, experiences, joy of the moments by me, Ulrike Reinhard – all around my travels. Stay tuned.
Ulrike Reinhard is The Nomad 🙂
Ten years ago I was in Lahore, Pakistan. I came in from India and crossed the famous superficially cheerful Wagah Border between Amritsar (India) and Lahore (Pakistan). A principal of a school, whom I knew from social media, had invited me and I stayed at her house. During my stay I also had the honour to deliver a speech for the opening of the first incubator in Lahore: Plan9 – PITB’s Tech Incubator. A group of Pakistani bloggers had found out that I was in town and they insisted that I would join them for this occasion. It was a big thing for Pakistan’s tech industry. At this time 10 companies had moved in and received support. After my talk I walked around and met all the companies who were there. One of them was HOMETOWN shoes.
This young company really stood out. Their concept was solid and I liked the team. They were committed and passionate and their idea was very simple: To produce handmade leather shoes in a small village in Pakistan and ship them for a reasonable price to clients worldwide. The shoes were nicely designed, high quality leather and the price was 140 USD – for a handmade shoe! Yet what struck me most was Waqas’ (one of the founders) dedication to customer services – I called them the zappos of Pakistan. One year later I helped Waqas to connect with the creative scene in Las Vegas in which Tony Hsieh, founder of zappos, played a major role. Tony was Waqas hero.
This was the beginning of a beautiful story of two young Pakistani entrepreneurs – Waqas and his wife Sidra – creating a business in the US. I watched it evolving from the distance. Their move from Pakistan to San Francisco, their first efforts with the leather shoes at the West Coast, their troubles and struggles with the production team back home, the death of their leading craftsman in the village and then finally their move to Brooklyn, New York and shift to a new brand and product: atoms.
Every now and then I would receive a pair of these magic shoes – honestly the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever had. The only pair of shoes I wear – besides my summer sandals. And I love their neon yellow- greenish colour. (NO, I don’t get paid for writing this, it is my honest opinion.)
Last June when I was in New York I paid them a surprise visit. I went to their office and was waiting for Waqas to come. It took longer than expected. So I finally send him a whatsapp message including a photo of his office saying: I am waiting here for you. He couldn’t believe I was there …
Unfortunately we didn’t had much time to talk yet it was long enough to get a better understanding of their present struggles – personal and business-wise. They were looking for a next round of investment and on a personal level they were re-structuring the leadership: Sidra would take over as CEO of the company and Waqas would become “president”. Waqas was also in a kind of personal crisis, he told me, struggling to find out who he actually is. Covid had given him quite some time to reflect on his personal journey and I felt he was in internal turmoil. He looked skinny and somehow stressed out. Their newly born daughter seemed to provide some stability in his life.
The office in Brooklyn is laid out for more employees to join; it’s very light and exudes a good atmosphere. atoms was on the right track, they grew slowly but steadily. Break-even was within reach. Sidra’s story in the Humans of New York and their clever idea of offering masks during Covid had delivered a surprising increase in revenue.
Fast forward.
Last night we met again. With more time. I knew some news were waiting for me and I was curious to hear. This year the surprise was brought by Waqas. And it was a surprise indeed. In short he told me
- I’ve seperated from Sidra
- I will quit from atoms by the end of the month
- I am in piece with everything and
- I’ve plenty of new ideas on which I will work including documentaries, toys, creating a forest back home in Pakistan and another, completely different fashion idea
WOW, I thought. That’s news!
What followed over the next three hours was a deep conversation about life, poetry and values. I discovered a whole new part about Waqas – his creativity and deep sense for freedom.
Freedom is also what atoms meant for him. He revealed this to his wife while being on acid, he told me. We shared some of our meditation experiences and enjoyed finding similiar grounds. I ensured him my greatest respect of quitting atoms (it was a common decison of Sidra and him) and for his ability to let go something so precious and close to his heart. I do believe to let go is the best you can do to start anew – probably the only way to do so. Yet it is so difficult for many to let go, to give up what you’ve created and considered to be your baby. It is a HUGE step. And Waqas did well. He said he has good and bad days (which is so “normal”, I thought), but overall he is embracing his “new” life. He is reflecting a lot on himself and not so much looking for others’ mistakes.
Both of them had found a good and practical solution with their daughter and also the overall timing felt right. Last month atoms had reached break-even.
Waqas is not scared, has no fear of what will happen. He is open for the new and this was so good to see. So, here we were – ten years after we’d met in Lahore Pakistan. Sitting in a Lebanese restaurant on Avenue A in New York CIty and looking at the passed decade. What a journey it was for Waqas. He left his home country where he was raised in a rather poor family and where he had made it to Lahore and received some of the first VC-capital ever provided in the country, he has created a company with his wife on a new continent, he has started a family, he’s made a living in one of the toughest towns in the world while always financially supporting his parents back home and now, at the age of 35, he is closing this chapter in life in peace with himself. I can only bow to his achievement! Well done!
I will keep this evening in my memories for sure.
And I am looking forward to meet him again before I leave the city.