About Me
I'm koH, founder of Hand Protocol and an active contributor to the public goods ecosystem. I've been building community-focused projects for many years, with kohX starting in 2019 as a SEC-registered impact organization exchange, evolving into Hand Protocol - a holistic approach to nurturing impact organizations and individuals. My work spans from supporting organizations like Laboso Caring Foundation and Vida Verde through quadratic funding campaigns to developing digital sovereignty tools and community gardens.
Social Links:
Project Overview
Vrbs Herbal Tea - A community-driven herbal tea venture that combines traditional wellness education with digital sovereignty through blockchain technology. We're creating a network of herbal tea distribution (vending machines and online) paired with educational workshops and crypto onboarding experiences.
How This Onboards People to Crypto
Our approach integrates crypto education naturally into the wellness journey:
- Crypto Payment Integration: Accept cryptocurrency payments for tea purchases and workshop fees
- Educational Webapp/Miniapp: Digital platform for tea sales and basic blockchain information
- "Herbs restore your health, crypto restores your wealth"
- Our messaging connects physical and financial wellness
- Learn, Pay, Earn Model: Workshop attendees can learn about herbs, pay with crypto, and earn tokens for participation
- In-Person Education: Monthly crypto education sessions and pop-up meetings alongside weekly herbal workshops
- Digital Sovereignty Education: Marketing materials and periodic workshops include blockchain literacy as part of holistic wellness
Austin Local Impact:
- Weekly Tuesday 7pm CST herbalist classes at The Healing Temple with monthly crypto education integration
- Platform for various specialists (permaculture, flower essentials, etc.) to share knowledge
- Two physical locations providing accessible wellness education and products
Broader Community Uplift:
- Tea distribution becomes conversation starter about Vrbs, Flows, and public goods funding
- Roadshows at holistic events spreading wellness and crypto education
- Integration with hyperlocal community gardens and public goods initiatives
- Creating ecosystem where physical wellness and financial sovereignty support each other
Path to Break-Even
Timeline: Break-even projected within 1-2 months
Revenue Streams:
- Vending machine tea sales (primarily marketing tool and conversation starter)
- Online store through webapp with full Vrbs mission storytelling
- Workshop fees and educational content
- Roadshow sales at holistic events
- Future expansion into additional wellness products and locations
Distribution Strategy:
- Primary: Online store and retail partnerships
- Secondary: Strategic vending machine placement in gyms, schools, community centers
- Expansion: Holistic event circuit and additional healing temple locations
Scalability: Once packaging and initial operations are established, rapid expansion possible through existing wellness community networks and proven demand from workshop attendees.
Team
koH (Russell): Project lead with extensive public goods experience through Hand Protocol. Proven track record supporting organizations through growth phases and quadratic funding campaigns. Experience operating projects with minimal funding and strong community connections in Austin wellness and crypto spaces.
Rick: Herbalist facilitator and tea creator with hands-on experience making quality herbal blends. Manages weekly community workshops and has 20-40 hours monthly availability. Responsible for packaging operations and product quality.
Anup: Owner of The Healing Temple (2 locations) providing physical infrastructure and established community base. Brings playful, loving character that builds authentic community connections.
Timeline
Month 1:
- Collaborate with Vrbs designers on eco-friendly, health-conscious packaging
- Source remaining ingredients and finalize tea blend recipes
- Develop basic webapp for crypto payments and tea sales
Month 2:
- Launch packaged tea sales through vending machines and online store
- Begin crypto education integration in monthly workshops
- Use initial revenue to establish LLC
Months 3-6:
- Expand to additional vending machine locations
- Launch roadshow circuit at holistic events
- Develop partnerships with other wellness spaces
- Scale digital sovereignty education components
Budget
Packaging & Design: Significant portion for eco-friendly, health-conscious packaging with Vrbs branding collaboration
Ingredients: Quality sourcing for tea blends and remaining inventory needs
Art & Branding: Unique, appealing designs that make products conversation starters about Vrbs mission
Marketing: Targeted digital advertising ($30 Facebook ads) and event presence
Technical Development: Basic webapp development for crypto integration and tea sales
Supporting Materials
The images show our established community space at The Healing Temple, Rick's educational workshops in action, our extensive herbal inventory, and examples of tea samples already being shared with workshop attendees. This demonstrates we have the physical infrastructure, community engagement, and product quality foundation ready for scaling.
