Meet William Zakrajshek | CEO & Co-Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with William Zakrajshek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi William, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my career has taught me is that success without authenticity isn’t really success at all — it’s survival on someone else’s terms. For years, I poured myself into building Out at the Fair®, and while it was vibrant and impactful, the stress and constant demand took a toll on my health and happiness. I learned the hard way that you can’t sustain something that costs you your peace.

But OATF isn’t over — it’s evolving. What started as a stage show at county fairs has grown into a full queer lifestyle brand. We’re expanding to serve people beyond the fairgrounds, through stories, creative projects, and products that reflect who we really are. Tres Amigos, Una Vida is part of that pivot. It might read like fiction, but it’s rooted in truth — our truth — with names changed and a few details shifted.

Writing it taught me that the most powerful business decision you can make is to bet on authenticity. Whether it’s building events, publishing a book, or growing a brand, leading with honesty attracts the right people. That’s not just survival — that’s freedom.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is storytelling — whether that’s been through a stage at a county fair, a live community event, or now through the pages of Tres Amigos, Una Vida. What sets me apart is that I don’t create from a place of theory — I create from lived experience. This book isn’t just a novel, it’s a reflection of my real life, told through changed names and shifted details, but rooted in truth. It’s about queer love that doesn’t fit into a box, and the courage it takes to build a life outside of the templates society hands you.

I’m most proud of how this book and our brand pivot represent resilience and growth. Out at the Fair® is still here — it’s just transitioning to run better for everyone involved. At the same time, OutAt Inc is evolving into a larger queer lifestyle brand, one that reaches beyond the stage or the fairgrounds. That expansion allows us to tell more stories, create more visibility, and connect with people in ways we couldn’t before.

Was it easy? No. Authenticity rarely is. There were health scares, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt. But what got me through was realizing that you don’t always have to keep doing things the same way you started. You’re allowed to evolve. That’s what Tres Amigos, Una Vida is — a mirror of my truth, wrapped in fiction so it can also serve as a mirror for others.

What I want the world to know is simple: our love stories matter. Our messy, complicated, joyful, unconventional lives deserve to be seen. Whether it’s through my book, our events, or our community, my mission is to make sure people see themselves reflected and feel less alone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting San Diego for a week, I’d want them to experience the city the way we live it. For me, that means a mix of beach time, good food, queer nightlife, and the kind of little moments that make San Diego feel like home.

We’d start in Mission Beach — walking the boardwalk, grabbing breakfast burritos, and letting the ocean set the tone. For dinner, one of my absolute favorites is En Fuego in Del Mar. It’s vibrant, full of flavor, and has that coastal energy that reminds you why we live here.

At night, we’d head to Hillcrest. Rich’s is a staple — the kind of place where our story really started, and where the queer community shows up unapologetically to dance and connect. From there, maybe cocktails at insideOUT or Flicks, depending on the vibe.

I’d also want them to see the quieter side: sunsets at Sunset Cliffs, a stroll through Balboa Park, and lazy mornings at the dog beach (our two beagles who are basically family).

By the end of the week, I’d hope they’d understand that San Diego isn’t just beaches and palm trees — it’s a community, it’s culture, and for me, it’s the backdrop of Tres Amigos, Una Vida. It’s the city that shaped our love story.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to everyone who’s ever loved unconventionally, who’s ever been told their relationship doesn’t fit the mold, and to every marginalized community that just wants to be seen. Tres Amigos, Una Vida was written with you in mind.

For years, queer love stories — especially ones outside the traditional couple narrative — have been ignored or pushed aside. Our book, and the larger pivot of our brand, is about shining a light on those stories and saying: your love is valid, your joy matters, and your life deserves space in the conversation.

Of course, we’ve had support from friends, readers, and people who encouraged us to take this leap. But at the core, this is for the folks who may not have that support system yet. It’s a way of telling them: you’re not alone, your story belongs, and there’s power in living authentically.

Website: https://www.tresamigosunavida.com

Instagram: @tresamigosunavida

Facebook: @tresamigosunavida

Other: www.OutAtInc.com is our partner website. The book is available on Shopify & Etsy as well.

Image Credits
All photos were taken by us.