“I have this strong belief that once you reach a certain position in life, you must give back to society, but sustainably,” shares 50-year-old Aziz Kapasi, the founder of Kobsook, a company that manufactures handcrafted sneakers with unique prints, designed by five talented artists with disabilities.

“Our shoes are made out of fine vegan suede, fusion recyclable canvas, and exclusive art,” he shares. Opting for handmade production over automated factory processes has a two-fold approach, he explains: they support skilled labour and reduce energy consumption. Kobsook also wants to make employability an easier option for skilled persons with disabilities.

A part of this drive comes from a bitter childhood experience Aziz refuses to delve into.

“I am not comfortable going into the details, but I have seen the ill-treatment received by disabled people in the family I grew up in,” he tells The Better India.

“I decided to do something for people with disabilities by making them financially stable and making them employable,” Aziz adds.

How did it all start?

Kobsook was born in 2021 with a heartfelt mission to empower individuals with disabilities, offering them meaningful employment opportunities. However, stepping into a new industry came with its own set of challenges.

“Since I had no prior experience in the footwear industry, I spent a year researching and understanding the intricacies of the business,” Aziz shares.

After traversing the corporate world for over 20 years, working with popular FMCGs like Pepsi

So, Aziz came across AIMS media — an organisation focusing on training disabled individuals with digital and other skills, through his wife, Dr Maria Kapapi.

To turn this idea into something real, he teamed up with AEMP (Ability Enhancement Multimedia Program), part of AIMS, which focuses on training people with disabilities. The program covers four main areas—hobby, career, skill, and program—helping each individual gain the skills they need, based on what works best for them.

© The Better India