Behind the Scenes: My Shark Tank Experience with History By Mail
Stepping onto the Shark Tank stage is one of those surreal moments you dream about but never quite believe will happen—until it does. What millions of viewers see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. The months of preparation, the nerves, the excitement, and the secrecy, makes the journey an unforgettable rollercoaster. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what really happened on my Shark Tank adventure!
The Road to the Tank: A Grueling and Exciting Process
Getting on Shark Tank isn’t as simple as filling out an application and walking into the room. With over 40,000 applicants per season and only about 100 making it on air, I knew I had to go all in. I prepared like crazy.
I wrote down every question ever asked in previous seasons, put them on note cards, and practiced answering them every night for hours. I even made giant cutouts of the Sharks’ faces looking stern or disinterested so I could get comfortable delivering my pitch no matter what reaction I got. By the time I made it to the studio, I was ready for anything.
But the hardest part? Keeping it all a secret. From the moment I applied, I couldn’t tell anyone outside my team. No friends, no extended family, no acquaintances—it was tough. I wanted to scream it from the rooftops, but instead I had to act like nothing was happening. Even as I flew to Los Angeles, prepared for filming, and stepped onto the set, I had to keep my excitement under wraps.
The Day of Filming: A Whirlwind of Emotions
The morning of filming felt like a dream. Standing in Sony Studios, knowing that I was about to pitch my business to some of the most successful investors in the world, was exhilarating. Nerve-wracking? Sure. But mostly, I felt ready.
Walking into the Tank, the bright lights and complete silence before I started speaking created an intense atmosphere. What people don’t realize is that the conversations with the Sharks last much longer than what gets aired. What you see as a 10-minute segment on TV is actually a much longer deep-dive conversation into every aspect of the business—numbers, vision, strategy, and more. There were no do-overs, no breaks, just a straight shot of answering tough questions and standing my ground.
The Negotiation: A Moment I’ll Never Forget
The toughest questions the Sharks asked? Honestly, I felt prepared for all of them. There wasn’t a single question that caught me off guard, and I think that’s because I had spent months anticipating every possible scenario.
When the moment of truth came—so many thoughts raced through my mind. I can’t spoil anything before the episode airs, but let’s just say it was a moment I’ll never forget.
After Filming: Processing the Experience
Walking out of the Tank, I was completely in the zone, processing everything that had just happened and replaying every second in my head. I’ve been reflecting on it ever since, hoping my reaction looks authentic on TV—it’s all real, though!
Being on Shark Tank has completely changed my perspective on History By Mail’s future. Just knowing that millions of people will see our brand is mind-blowing. Our mission—to make history real and tangible by delivering historical replicas to people’s doors—will now reach more people than ever before.
The Biggest Lesson I Learned
If there’s one takeaway from this experience, it’s that hard work pays off. Getting on Shark Tank took an insane amount of preparation, and running a business is no different. Whether it’s marketing, sales, product development, or legal, every piece of the puzzle matters. And just like in business, stepping onto that stage meant mastering everything—from pitch delivery to set design, to staying calm under pressure.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without an amazing team. Surrounding yourself with smart, hardworking, and passionate people is the key to success—whether in business or on Shark Tank.
I can’t wait for you to see the episode and experience this journey with me. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for History By Mail!
