Pakistani Couple’s Rug Business Soars to Millions in U.S.

"We bought a few rugs from our native Pakistan, but, at the time, we weren’t too serious about it," said Ayesha, who owned a Mexican/Italian restaurant in Pakistan before moving to New Mexico in 1999. Her husband, who came to the United States in 1979 and met his wife during his many trips to and from Pakistan, agreed. He was into computer technology and, although rug selling was a family tradition, he, too, at first didn’t get excited about the new business. But their new enterprise — Silk Route Rugs — began to unfold. Last year, the couple said, Silk Route Rugs, sold $1.27 million worth of rugs of all sizes made mostly in Pakistan and India. They expect sales for 2005 to reach $2.15 million.