By Ari Siegel | Founder, History By Mail
If you told me years ago that I’d be standing on the Shark Tank stage pitching a business about historical letters, I wouldn't have believed it. When I stepped into Shark Tank, it was a moment I’ll never forget. Here is a recap of what happened in the tank:
Walking Into the Tank
The moment those iconic doors opened, my heart was racing. I was holding 250 years’ worth of American stories in my hand—and I was about to ask five of the savviest investors in the country to believe in the mission of bringing those stories to life.
I introduced myself: “Hi Sharks. I’m Ari from Chicago, and I’m seeking $250,000 for 10% of my company, History By Mail.”
From there, I told them our story—not just about documents, but about impact. I shared how History By Mail is on a mission to make history real and tangible, even for those who cannot visit museums. Each month, our subscribers receive a beautifully crafted envelope featuring a replica of a fascinating document from American history, accompanied by context, background, and surprises. It’s immersive. It’s educational. It’s powerful.
And I had something special for the Sharks, each of them received their own curated letter right there on stage.
The Sharks React
The reactions were better than I could’ve imagined! Lori received Annie Oakley’s letter to President McKinley. Daniel received an eyewitness sketch of a D-Day platoon leader from WWII. He was touched because his father had been liberated from a Nazi concentration camp by American soldiers. Mark Cuban, former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was impressed by the 13 Original Rules of Basketball, the document that created the sport. While they did not show it on the episode, I gave Mr. Wonderful Rosa Parks’ pancake recipe, and Barbara an early map of Yellowstone National Park.
Then Came the Offers
Kevin offered $250,000 for 20%. Daniel Lubetzky matched it. Barbara jumped in—calling me the “perfect nerd”. Even though a lot of family and friends were offended by that comment, I was honored to be called a nerd.
Mark and Lori bowed out, saying I was already killing it and didn’t need a deal. But for me, this wasn’t just about money. I was there for mentorship. For the chance to accelerate our growth and get this powerful idea into more hands, homes, and hearts.
Kevin said he’d fly to Chicago, film social content, and help me scale up our marketing. Barbara offered her social media expertise to help make me the “historical nerd” America didn’t know it needed. I listened, I thought, and then I made my choice.
I Said Yes to Barbara and Daniel!
I accepted Barbara and Daniel’s joint offer—$250,000 for 20% equity. I instantly felt like history was being made…again. In this instance, I didn’t negotiate. It wasn’t about the money for me. It was about the partnership. Barbara and Daniel bring more than just financial backing — they bring vision, mentorship, and a deep understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish. Their guidance is worth its weight in gold, and I knew immediately they were the right fit for us.
What’s Next for History By Mail
This is just the beginning.
With Barbara and Daniel’s help, here’s what’s coming:
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Launching Social Content: Get ready to see more of me (and our documents!) across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and beyond. We’re making history cool, bite-sized, and fun.
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Scaling Gifting & Bulk Sales: We’ve seen great traction with individual subscribers—but we haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s possible with corporate gifts, museums, and schools.
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Expanding Our Archives: More documents. More voices. More perspectives. We’re committed to telling a fuller, more inclusive story of America.
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Community & Classroom Engagement: Imagine classrooms getting physical letters to spark student imagination. That’s our next big push.
Final Thoughts
History isn’t just a subject—it’s a shared experience. And thanks to Shark Tank, that experience is about to reach so many more people.
To everyone who’s been a part of this journey—thank you. Whether you’re a history nerd like me, a curious learner, or someone looking for the perfect meaningful gift, I invite you to join us.
Because together, we’re going to make history feel real again.
If you missed our behind-the-scenes blog, you can check it out here: History By Mail on Shark Tank Behind-The-Scenes
