History by Mail is a subscription service that sends copies of old historical documents to people every month, depending on their package. Each package includes a historical document along with a short explanation to teach people about history in a fun and engaging way.
Entrepreneur Ari Siegel came up with this business idea when he saw handwritten letters from U.S. presidents at the Library of Congress. He wanted to give people the experience of real letters and documents.
Ari Siegel appeared on Shark Tank Season 16 to seek funding for his business and asked the Sharks for an investment. Let’s find out if any of the Sharks showed interest in investing in his business.
| Company Name | History by Mail | |
| Founder | Ari Siegel | |
| Founded | 2024 | |
| Product | Copies of old historical documents | |
| Asked For | $250k for 10% equity | |
| Final Deal | $250k for 20% equity | |
| Sharks | Daniel Lubetzky and Barbara Corcoran | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S16 E15 | |
| Air Date | April 4th, 2025 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Northbrook, Illinois, USA | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $3 Million *estimated | |
| Valuation | $2.5 Million | |
A Patriot’s History of the United States
- 1008 pages
- English Language
- 6.1 x 2.1 x 9.24 inches
Who Is The Founder Of History by Mail?
History by Mail was officially founded by Ari Siegel in 2024. Ari is very passionate about history, partly because his grandfather served in World War II. His passion also grew from his experience working on Capitol Hill, where he gave tours of the U.S. Capitol building.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of History by Mail?
Siegel appeared on Shark Tank, offering $250,000 for 10% equity in his company at a $2.5 million valuation. He presented his business well to the Sharks and shared that his grandparents served in World War II.
When Kevin O’Leary asked how he could make money from this, Siegel explained that over the past five years and nine months, his company had achieved total sales of $3 million. In 2023, they had already made $1.75 million in sales and sold 85,000 subscriptions. For 2024, they expect sales to reach $1.3 million.
The net operating margin is 43%. They offer three subscription plans: monthly for $9, quarterly for $42, and annually for $78. Subscribers typically stay with them for about 18 months. The average cost to acquire a customer is $21, with a lifetime value of $148 and a return on ad spend (ROAS) of 3 to 4.
Siegel also mentioned that he didn’t come to Shark Tank just for the money; he wanted the Sharks’ experience to help expand his business.
Mark Cuban felt that Siegel was doing well enough and didn’t need the Sharks, so he opted out. Kevin O’Leary was interested and offered $250,000 for 20% equity.
Daniel Lubetzky and Barbara Corcoran teamed up to make a similar offer of $250,000 for 20% equity. However, Siegel decided to partner with Daniel and Barbara.
Breakdown Sharks Offer
Note: Here’s a quick summary of the offers and counteroffers between the Sharks and Ari Siegel:
| Sharks | Offers |
| Kevin O’Leary | $250k for 20% equity |
| Barbara Corcoran | $125k for 10% equity (Daniel) |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | $125k for 10% equity (Barbara) |
| Founder’s (Countered) | No Counter |
| Final Deals | $250k for 20% equity (Daniel & Barbara) |
History by Mail Shark Tank Update
After Ari Siegel received investment from the Sharks, his company experienced significant growth in sales. Over the past six years, History By Mail has delivered over 650,000 letters.
Currently, their subscription plans include a monthly subscription for $8.99, a six-month subscription for $41.99, a one-year subscription for $78.00, and a two-year subscription with a free letter for $149.99.
Additionally, they offer a scholarship program for students who are passionate about history.
What Is the Net Worth of History by Mail?
The subscription box market is experiencing significant growth, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% up to 2033. This sector is showing positive growth trends. Given that the last valuation of this company was $1.25 million, based on the growth rate and historical valuation, History By Mail’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million in the current year.
