In a world of instant messages and cloud storage, one entrepreneur is building a thriving business on snail mail—and turning historical nostalgia into seven-figure success. Meet Ari Siegel, founder of History By Mail, a company that sends replicas of rare U.S. documents to subscribers each month in carefully crafted, tactile mailers.
The concept might sound like a throwback—but it’s working. The business earned over $1 million in 2024 revenue, is profitable, and just landed a deal on Shark Tank. As seen in Millionaire MNL, Siegel is proving that history sells—especially when it shows up at your door.
A handwritten letter sparked the idea
Siegel, 38, first had the idea while interning in the U.S. Senate. During a visit to the Library of Congress, he saw a handwritten letter from Abraham Lincoln. Inspired, he began replicating historic documents to share with friends and family.
“Their eyes lit up. I thought, ‘There’s a business here,’” he recalled on Shark Tank.
He launched History By Mail in 2019, starting with simple reproductions of letters, treaties, and personal notes from major U.S. figures. Each envelope includes the document facsimile and a contextual explanation sheet—designed to feel personal, tangible, and rooted in the past.
“It seems like the core value proposition is that we are a physical good—snail mail—in the digital era,” Siegel said. “That’s why so many people find it novel.”
Growth through iteration—and slowing down
Initially, the documents were sent biweekly. But subscribers were overwhelmed. “You have to take 15 or 20 minutes to sit down and really dig in,” Siegel said. “Readers were like, ‘We’re busy.’”
So he pivoted to a monthly format, allowing readers to fully engage with each piece. Today, the startup employs 10 full-time staff, and the brand has evolved into a well-oiled subscription engine catering to families, educators, and history buffs.
The documents touch on key moments in American history—from civil rights speeches to presidential correspondence—and replicate the look, feel, and weight of the originals.
A big pitch on Shark Tank
Siegel appeared on Shark Tank seeking $250,000 for 10% equity, hoping to scale his subscriber base and boost social media marketing. Several sharks admired the business but passed on investing, with Mark Cuban saying: “You don’t really need our help to get to the next level.”
But two investors did bite. Kevin O’Leary and Daniel Lubetzky each offered $250,000 for 20%. Then Barbara Corcoran jumped in, proposing a joint deal with Lubetzky: they’d split the investment and each receive 10%.
Siegel accepted the joint offer. But after filming, only Lubetzky’s firm, Camino Partners, closed the deal, according to a spokesperson. Corcoran did not finalize her investment.
Regardless, the Shark Tank effect was immediate. Within one hour of the episode airing, History By Mail recorded its highest sales day ever, and the momentum didn’t stop there.
“This was the best sales week we’ve ever had,” Siegel said.
What’s next for History By Mail
Siegel believes the appeal isn’t just about old documents—it’s about democratizing access to U.S. history in a way that feels intimate and interactive.
“The mission is to allow more people to have access to documents that already belong to them,” he said. “They just haven’t held them in their hands.”
With rising interest from educators and institutions, History By Mail is now exploring curriculum partnerships, potential international versions, and custom editions for civic engagement campaigns.
As seen in Millionaire MNL, the brand’s growth shows that even in a digital-first economy, physical experiences—especially ones that connect people to meaning—still have unmatched staying power.
Source: CNBC
