Ari Siegel founded History of Mail while touring the Library of Congress. He handled a physical, handwritten letter by Abraham Lincoln and noticed how people connected with a piece of the past. He realized that in our digital era history education has become detached.
He designed his business to fix this problem by bringing touchable history into people’s hands to make learning real. History By Mail is a unique direct to consumer snail mail subscription service.
Alexandra Siegel sought $250,000 for 10% equity highlighting the company’s $3 million in sales over nearly six years and 85,000 active subscriptions. It secured a deal on Shark Tank with Sharks Daniel Lubetzky and Kevin O’Leary via his firm Camino Partners for $250,000 for it to be a negotiated equity stake.
The day the episode aired the company broke its previous single day sales record within the first hour. Here’s what happened to the company after Shark Tank and how much it’s worth today.
Ari asked for a $250k Investment in exchange for 10% equity in his company. This meant he valued his company at $2.5 million. He made a deal with Daniel Lubetzky and Barbara Corcoran for $250k in exchange for 20% of his company. This new deal valued his company at $1.25 million. After the show aired, History by Mail saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. With an estimated 10% yearly growth rate (typical business growth), the current net worth of History by Mail is about $2.01 million.
Did The History by Mail Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Yes, founder Ari Siegel secured a deal on Shark Tank for History by Mail. The History by Mail negotiation was competitive, with multiple Sharks fighting to invest due to the company’s profit margins and strong sales data.
The Sharks were aggressive during the pitch because History by Mail proved it was an optimized business model. He accepted a joint offer from Daniel Lubetzky and Barbara Corcoran who each offered $125,000 for 10% equity totaling $250,000 for 20%. Following the filming of the episode, the company finalized its official post show deal with Daniel Lubetzky and his firm Camino Partners.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daniel Lubetzky and Barbara
$250,000 for 20% equity
N/A
Yes
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
$250,000 for 20% equity
N/A
No
Barbara Corcoran
Partnered with Daniel
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Founders’ Backstory
Ari Siegel is the sole founder and CEO of History by Mail. He created the business to grant people personal access to historical documents that already belong to the public but are hidden away in archives.
Siegel wanted to bring moments of history into everyday lives. His guiding philosophy is that these documents belong to the public. But they shouldn’t just sit out of sight in a government building. They should be experienced firsthand. He recognized that holding a replica printed on authentic feeling paper with historical calligraphy creates a emotional connection to the past that reading text on a screen cannot change.
History by Mail Shark Tank Pitch
Founder Ari Siegel walked into the tank and delivered a presentation showing famous artifacts. To captivate the Sharks, he displayed historical documents, including the check used by the United States to purchase Alaska. He then handed out personalized replica documents to each Shark on stage. Museum artifacts are fascinating, but they are kept behind thick glass. You are never allowed to touch them.
History by Mail is a physical subscription service. Subscribers receive monthly envelopes delivered to their mailboxes. Each envelope contains a museum quality replica of an important American document. The packages include graphic sheets detailing the backstory, context and relevance of the artifact. The company operates as a recurring direct to consumer (DTC) subscription business alongside retail partnerships. Customers can buy plans, including monthly, 6-month, or annual options.
The Sharks focused on understanding how a “snail mail” product could survive and scale in a digital age. Barbara Corcoran asked how the company finds and targets history lovers. The Sharks probed into the active sales channels, inquiring about direct to consumer versus wholesale avenues.
They questioned customer lifespan and how long people stay subscribed to a physical mailing service. The panel asked how the funding would be utilized to expand the company. Founder Ari Siegel defended his product with strong metrics and a clear vision. He explained that customer acquisition runs via two major channels. Direct to consumers through their website and wholesale via platforms like Uncommon Goods.
He stated he needed the $250,000 to improve social media presence and expand sales to schools, corporate events and museums. He emphasized that history on a screen lacks emotional depth, whereas his product offers “history you can hold in your hands.” The business showcased excellent financial health during the presentation.
$3 million generated over the preceding 5 years and 9 months. $1.75 million generated within the 12 months leading up to the appearance. A 43% net operating margin. Subscriptions sell at $9 for a single month, $42 for six months and $78 for an annual plan. An average subscriber lifespan is 18 months. Over 85,000 subscriptions are handled by the company.
Three Sharks showed strong interest in the high profit margins and steady cash flow. Daniel Lubetzky & Kevin O’Leary both offered individual deals of $250,000 for 20% equity. They loved the high margins and the educational value of the letters. Barbara Corcoran initially teamed up with Daniel Lubetzky on air after Ari mentioned wanting help with social media marketing. They agreed to a joint deal of $250,000 for 20% equity (10% each).
Mark Cuban dropped out because the business was already successful. He told Ari, “You don’t really need our help,” noting that an independently profitable side hustle shouldn’t give away equity. Lori Greiner declined to offer, stating that she found the product and letters charming. It did not align with her consumer product portfolio or investment focus.
The Sharks were excited when receiving their customized samples. The panel reacted with amazement when Ari revealed his $1.75 million revenue and 43% net margins. It shifted the room from viewing it as a small hobby to a serious business.
Why Some Sharks Said No
During the Shark Tank pitch, History By Mail secured an on-air deal. But two Sharks dropped out due to the company’s existing success and the specific nature of its marketing needs. Cuban declined to invest because the business was already successful, self sustaining and profitable on its own. He told founder Jason Siegel, “You get to do what you love, and you’re making a killing. You don’t really need our help to get to the next level.”
He felt an investment from him wouldn’t add enough transformative value to a company that already had a 43% net operating margin. Lori Greiner also chose to drop out. Her investment strategy favors mass market and high volume retail products often driven by television shopping or large retail placements.
History By Mail is a direct to consumer educational subscription. Because Siegel stated he was looking for heavy social media marketing and digital customer acquisition support. Lori felt she wasn’t the right partner to solve his specific marketing challenges.
Where To Buy History by Mail Products and Product Features
You can purchase History by Mail products directly online through official direct to consumer and select retail channels. History by Mail Official Website is the primary and most direct location to purchase subscriptions. Buying through the official store gives you access to all plan lengths (Monthly, 6-Month, and 1-Year plans) as well as themed gift bundles. The company also sells document packages in bulk directly to museums, schools, and corporate groups.
History by Mail functions as an educational experience rather than a magazine subscription. Each mailing contains a curated historical kit. Subscribers receive high quality physical reproductions of vital historical documents such as handwritten letters from Abraham Lincoln, blueprints or government transcripts. Each document is printed on paper designed to replicate the texture, color and age of the original artifact.
Every document comes accompanied by a detail. 1 to 2 page document detailing the context, background story and hidden details about who created the document and why it matters. Mailings are grouped into historical themes that span over four months at a time. A clean modern type transcript is provided so that it is easy to read for all age groups.
What Happened To History by Mail After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank in early 2025, History By Mail experienced a massive surge in growth. Founder Ari Siegel reported that within just one hour of the episode airing, the company surpassed its previous record for an entire week’s worth of sales. On the show Siegel accepted a joint offer from Daniel Lubetzky and Barbara Corcoran.
When the deal went through due diligence after filming, the final agreement was adjusted. A company spokesperson confirmed that the official investment was legally closed with Daniel Lubetzky and his investment firm, Camino Partners. While Barbara Corcoran did not remain part of the final deal. With Lubetzky’s capital and digital scaling resources the company focused on growth.
They expanded bulk packages to get historical replicas into schools and classrooms nationwide. Using the Sharks’ advice, they updated their social media and content marketing strategies to drive cheaper direct to consumer digital acquisition. The archive has expanded to feature more diverse topics.
Conclusion
Siegel requested $250,000 for 10% equity. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner passed while Kevin O’Leary offered $250,000 for 20% equity. Daniel Lubetzky also made an offer which prompted Barbara Corcoran to step in and propose a joint partnership with Lubetzky. Siegel accepted the joint offer from Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky for $250,000 in exchange for 20% equity.
Following standard post show due diligence, the deal changed. A History By Mail spokesperson confirmed that only Daniel Lubetzky and his firm, Camino Partners, finalized the investment. Barbara Corcoran did not participate in the final business agreement.
The company experienced an immediate “Shark Tank effect,” generating $83,000 in sales on the single day the episode aired and breaking previous single hour revenue records. Moving past its early status as a seasonal gifting product, the brand has scaled under Lubetzky’s guidance. By mid 2026 History By Mail is on track to cross $3 million in annual revenue and send out its 1 millionth historical replica letter.
Hey there! I’m Fatima Shoaib, a passionate content writer who believes in creative solutions. Reading enthusiast and storyteller, dedicated and eager to apply my skills to a fast-paced environment and make a positive impact in the industry.Currently focusing on current business projects and goals, I aim to stay passionate about driving results in the business sector. This connection that I felt towards business was because of Shark Talent. I am always exploring to binge into new episodes of Shark Tank. Read more About me.
