History By Mail Update | Shark Tank Season 16

Most people can’t visit museums, and even those who do aren’t allowed to touch the artifacts, which makes history feel distant and untouchable. To solve this, Ari Siegel created History by Mail, a subscription service that delivers replicas of historical documents each month, allowing people to physically engage with the past. This brings history to life in a way that’s both educational and personal. Can this hands-on approach to history earn the support of the sharks? Find out how things went down in our History by Mail update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to History By Mail after Shark Tank.

Ari entered Shark Tank Season 16, seeking $250,000 for 10% equity in his American history replica subscription service. After his pitch, he reached an agreement for a deal with Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky for $250,000 for 20% equity.

In terms of a History By Mail update, the received a lot of interest after airing on Shark Tank!

Shark	Result
Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky	Accepted offer of $250,000 for 20% equity
Kevin O’Leary	$250,000 for 20% equity
Lori Greiner	No offer
Mark Cuban	No offer

Shark Tank History By Mail Pitch

• Entrepreneur: Ari Siegel
• Business: American history replica subscription service
• Ask: $250,000 for 10% equity
• Result: 250,000 for 20% equity
• Sharks: Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky

Ari walked into Shark Tank with a clear goal. He wanted to make American history more personal and accessible.

His company, History by Mail, sends replica historical documents to subscribers each month. These replicas help people experience history in a hands-on way.

The business runs on two models. First, there’s a direct-to-consumer website where people can subscribe monthly, every six months, or yearly.

Second, half of the sales come from wholesale partnerships, especially with Uncommon Goods.

However, this mix helps him reach both individual customers and larger gift-buying platforms. The product works well for history lovers and as a unique gift.

As Ari explained the service, the sharks reacted to the documents they received in their mailboxes.

Ari said he grew up loving history. His grandparents served in World War II and told him stories. He also interned in the U.S. Senate and once saw a letter by Abraham Lincoln at the Library of Congress.

That moment stayed with him. He began replicating documents for friends and family. They loved it. That’s when he saw the potential for a business.

Meanwhile, Barbara Corcoran asked how he finds customers. Ari said the company relies on online sales and wholesale distribution. They’ve sold 85,000 subscriptions so far.

Kevin O’Leary asked how much money the business made and what the margins looked like.

Ari responded with strong figures. The business has made $3 million in total sales. In the last 12 months alone, they made $1,075,000.

Moreover, the average subscriber stays for 18 months. Subscriptions cost $9 per month, $42 for six months, or $78 per year. Ari reported a 43% net operating margin, even after marketing costs.

Mark Cuban asked why Ari came to Shark Tank if he was already profitable. Ari said he’s doing well but hasn’t tapped into corporate gifting, museums, or schools.

He also admitted that social media hasn’t been a focus, even though it’s a major opportunity.

Barbara jumped in. She told Ari he would be great on social media and called him the “perfect nerd.” Ari said it’s an area where he needs help.

Kevin wanted to know the cost to acquire a customer and the return on ad spend. Ari said the blended acquisition cost is $20.

The lifetime value is $148. On Google, return on ad spend ranges between 3x and 4x, depending on the time of year.

Kevin did the math. At the current valuation level, it would take five years to recoup his investment. He offered $250,000 for 20% equity.

Guest shark Daniel Lubetzky matched the offer. He said he liked Ari and would enjoy working with him. Barbara hadn’t made an offer yet, so Daniel asked if she’d consider joining Daniel. She agreed.

In the end, Ari accepted the deal from Barbara and Daniel for $250,000 for 20% equity.

Now, let’s check in for a History By Mail update.

Shark Tank History By Mail Update

Our History By Mail update found that after airing the company received a nice boost in subscriptions.

At the time of writing it’s unclear if the deal with Barbara and Daniel officially closed. However, a post from Daniel indicates that things are headed in the right direction.

History By Mail maintains an active presence on social media platforms, sharing insights into historical documents and engaging with the community.

If you’d like to subscribe, you can do so on the History By Mail website.

Once the dust settles, we will bring you another History By Mail update.

For other company updates from Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 15, look below:

• Future Circus Update
• CowPots Update
• Paper Tacos Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 16 products.