In the freelance world, trust and mutual respect are the cornerstones of successful collaborations. Unfortunately, there are individuals who exploit the goodwill and hard work of professionals for personal gain. One such experience I recently encountered was with Aarron Deliu, the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion, whose actions serve as a warning to others in the creative industry.

What Happened?

After two weeks of dedicated work on a 15-page website design, I received positive feedback: “Good job and start… Thank you.” At this point, I believed we were on the right track, building toward a successful project. However, things quickly took a turn.

The reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion, began pressuring me to complete additional work without compensation. When I requested a $400 deposit—less than half of the total project cost of $950—for the work I had already delivered, he refused. Instead, he insulted my business practices and suddenly claimed the site was subpar, completely disregarding the time, effort, and resources I had poured into the project.

The Work I Delivered

Here’s what I accomplished before asking for a deposit:

• Spent hours reviewing documents, addressing questions via messaging and phone calls, and developing a detailed project plan.
• Set up hosting and a staging website, purchased and installed themes, purchased and loaded necessary plugins, and created a visually appealing and functional website.

Despite these efforts, the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion showed no willingness to meet me even halfway—less than halfway, if you consider that I only asked for $400 of a $950 total.

The Problem with “No Skin in the Game”

When clients don’t invest financially in a project, it’s easy for them to walk away—they lose nothing—no time, no resources, no money. But for the freelancer, the loss is real. In my case, I had already invested over 2 weeks of time, along with money spent on software, themes, plugins, stock photos, and 3D assets.

Without a deposit or mutual commitment, I had no guarantee that the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion, wouldn’t simply abandon the project after receiving more free work. Which is what he did. This lack of accountability raises a red flag for any freelancer.

Lessons Learned

Always Require a Deposit
Never begin work without a deposit. It sets the tone for mutual commitment and ensures the client has “skin in the game.” I know how it is—we get excited about the work, trust people, and get caught up in the creative process. We love the project and can’t wait to dive in.

In hindsight, I’m partially to blame. I broke the golden rule: I started the project without money upfront. My thinking at the time? Surely Aarron Deliu, the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion, wouldn’t rip me off. But he did and now I am the sucker. It doesn’t matter who the person is or how exciting the project seems—trust me, do yourself a favor: always get a deposit.

Spot Red Flags Early
If a client hesitates to make even a small financial commitment, it’s a clear sign they do not value your time or effort.

I made the mistake of overlooking a glaring red flag with the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion. His blatant racism became evident when he expressed a preference for working with me, stating he wanted to avoid all the 'fucking Pakistanis' sending him website proposals. I should have stopped everything right there. But, driven by my desire to secure the job, I foolishly dismissed this unacceptable behavior. I deeply regret compromising my morals for the sake of a gig. This was a mistake I will never repeat, and I’ve made a commitment to stand firm in my values moving forward. I must do better, both ethically and professionally.

Document Everything
Keep records of all receipts, communication, deliverables, and agreements. These can protect you in case disputes arise.

Know When to Walk Away
Your time and expertise are valuable. If a client shows no respect for that, it’s better to cut your losses early.

Final Thoughts

Freelancers deserve to be treated with respect and fairness. The reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion, exemplifies why it’s crucial to set boundaries and protect yourself from exploitation. To my fellow creatives, remember: your work has value, and you deserve clients who recognize and respect that.

Yes, I could sue in small claims court and most likely win, given all the communication records, phone logs, actual work delivered, and purchase receipts. But let’s be real—it would just be more time and money down the drain. If pressed, I would welcome my day in court. I stand firmly by every word in this post.

So, what’s my solution? At first, I thought about taking the website down, moving on, and once again playing the fool. I’d let this guy get away with stealing my services. He dined and dashed on a $400 tab and I have to pay for it. Lessons learned.

But then I came across an Instagram reel from a movie. It showed a classroom where a teacher randomly expelled a student, and no one spoke up or protested. The teacher’s lesson was clear: "If you don't help bring about justice, then one day, you too may experience injustice." That hit me hard. The timing was perfect, the message spot on. I’ve faced an injustice, but this time, I’m not staying quiet. Instead, I’m choosing to shine a light on those who perpetuate wrongdoing. Ignoring injustice only allows it to persist and grow.

So, I decided to leave this site up and write this post. I wrote this post to stand up for myself and fellow freelancers, to expose unethical practices, and to warn others about exploitation. It’s a call to action for creatives to value their work, set boundaries, and demand respect. By sharing my experience, I aim to shed light on injustices like those I faced with the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion, highlighting the importance of accountability and fairness in professional relationships.

Is this really the cost of doing business? Have ethics and morals faded into history? This post aims to spark a larger conversation about how freelancers are treated and the standards we should all strive to uphold. It’s a call to action against the abuse of power—encouraging others to share their stories, raise their voices, and unite in driving awareness and change.

Or maybe I’m just completely wrong. Was I wrong to ask for the $400? I’m genuinely curious to hear your thoughts. Let’s have a conversation and work toward better standards for everyone involved.

Above all, exercise caution when dealing with Aarron Deliu, the reigning Air Masters Cup Series Champion. He has a track record of failing to honor payment commitments and has demonstrated blatantly racist behavior. Proceed with care—or better yet, steer clear entirely.

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