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(TJV NEWS) Some might call snail mail a relic, but that only adds to the irony of History By Mail’s success — according to CNBC.
The company ships out replicas of historic documents to subscribers each month, complete with a tactile, authentic look and a context page, CNBC reported.
Founder Ari Siegel, 38, told CNBC Make It that the charm lies in its throwback appeal. “It seems like the core value proposition is that we are a physical good, snail mail, in the digital era,” he said, according to CNBC. “That’s why some people, so many people, find it novel,” he added — according to CNBC.
You can link to History By mail HERE
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History By Mail earned over $1 million in revenue in 2024 — according to CNBC. Siegel launched the company in January 2019, and confirmed on ABC’s Shark Tank that the business is profitable — according to CNBC.
The idea came to him during his time as a U.S. Senate intern, when he saw a handwritten letter from Abraham Lincoln at the Library of Congress — according to CNBC. The sight inspired him to recreate historical letters and send them to friends and family, he said on Shark Tank, as reported by CNBC.
“Their eyes lit up. I thought, ‘There’s a business here,’” Siegel said.
In the beginning, History By Mail sent out historical letters every two weeks, but that frequency proved to be too much for readers — he told CNBC. “We love this, it’s just too much,” readers said, according to CNBC. Siegel said the feedback led to a once-a-month model, giving subscribers time to really dive into the material — according to CNBC.
Today, the company has 10 full-time employees — according to CNBC. On Shark Tank, Siegel asked for $250,000 in exchange for 10% equity — according to CNBC.
Mark Cuban acknowledged Siegel’s success, saying, “You get to do what you love, and you’re making a killing,” before passing on the investment — according to CNBC. Cuban and Lori Greiner opted out, according to CNBC.
But Kevin O’Leary and Daniel Lubetzky offered Siegel $250,000 for 20% equity — according to CNBC. When Siegel expressed interest in social media marketing help, Barbara Corcoran jumped in, joining Lubetzky’s offer for a shared 10% stake each — according to CNBC, who reported on the TV show.
Ultimately, Siegel and Lubetzky struck a deal — according to CNBC. After the show aired, Siegel’s business finalized an investment with Lubetzky and his firm Camino Partners — according to CNBC. A spokesperson confirmed that Corcoran was not included in the final deal — according to CNBC.
The “Shark Tank” effect was swift: Daily sales broke the company’s all-time record within an hour of the episode airing — according to CNBC. The spokesperson did not confirm specific sales numbers, but said it was the best sales week the company ever had — according to CNBC.
“This was the best [sales] week we’ve ever had,” Siegel said — according to CNBC. “The mission is to allow more people to have access to documents that already belong to them, just not in their hands. This is American history” — according to CNBC.