We are shaped by the stories we live through, and those we stumble upon.

Waqas Nama is an ongoing effort to capture and share such stories, ideas, and lessons from a deeply personal lens. It is not an advice column. If anything, I hope it sparks more questions and curiosity along the way.

I’ve been based in NYC since 2019, originally as co-founder of the sneaker brand Atoms, focused on comfort, creativity, and walking. These days, you’ll catch me painting, cooking with my 3.5-year-old daughter, building a note-taking app, or advising founders on product, and storytelling.

Before landing here, I spent four years in San Francisco, nearly a decade in Lahore, Pakistan, and was born and raised in a small town in Pakistan. Now and then, I share personal opinions and recommendations on music, art, parenting, shoes, and food with close friends. Think of Waqas Nama as an expansion of that circle—a place where we can wander together through new ideas and experiences.

Welcome, and enjoy the journey!