Why This Exists
I run an agency of one. There’s no board of directors, no legal department, no compliance team. That means every decision about who I work with, how I work, and what I build is mine to make. This statement exists to hold myself publicly accountable for those decisions.
I believe that even a one-person business has a responsibility to operate ethically. Being small doesn’t exempt me from thinking about human rights, fair treatment, and the impact of the work I put into the world. If anything, being independent gives me the freedom to take a clear position—and to actually live by it.
My Principles
I support the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) and the ILO core conventions on Labour Rights. In practice, that means I commit to the following:
Equal opportunity and non-discrimination
I don’t discriminate based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, or any other characteristic. Not in who I work with, not in who I hire if I ever scale, and not in how I treat the people I interact with professionally.
Fair compensation
When I collaborate with subcontractors or partners, I pay fairly and on time. I won’t participate in the race-to-the-bottom pricing that exploits freelancers in lower-cost markets just because the math works in my favour.
Safe and ethical working conditions
I maintain a professional standard in how I operate and how I expect my partners and collaborators to operate. Nobody should have to compromise their wellbeing to deliver a project.
No forced or exploitative labour
I will not knowingly work with any organisation that uses forced, compulsory, or child labour, directly or through their supply chain.
Freedom of association
I respect everyone’s right to organise, bargain collectively, and advocate for their working conditions.
Anti-bribery and corruption
I don’t pay bribes. I don’t accept them. I earn work on merit, and I expect the same from everyone I do business with.
Who I Won’t Work With
Being independent means I get to choose. I will not take on projects or clients in the following industries, regardless of the fee:
- Gambling and online betting
- Cryptocurrency, NFTs, and speculative token projects
- Adult content and exploitation
- Weapons and arms manufacturing
- Predatory lending and payday loan services
- Surveillance technology and tools designed to monitor or control populations
- Financial products or services designed to mislead or exploit consumers
I also reserve the right to decline any project where I believe the end product would be used to deceive, manipulate, or cause harm—even if the industry itself isn’t listed above.
Technology and Data
I build websites and digital experiences. That comes with responsibility. I commit to ensuring that the products and services I create are not used to abuse human rights, harvest personal data without consent, or weaponise technology against the people it’s supposed to serve.
I advocate for privacy-respecting analytics, transparent data practices, and building things that serve the end user—not just the business metrics.
Operating Across Borders
I’m a Canadian living in Thailand, working with clients across North America, Europe, and Scandinavia. I’ve been based in Southeast Asia since 2014. This isn’t a tax-optimisation play—it’s my life. I’ve lived in these communities, and I treat them with the respect they deserve.
My pricing is designed to be competitive for North American and European markets. The cost-of-living difference means I can offer strong value while still building a sustainable business. I don’t exploit that gap by underpaying local collaborators or treating Southeast Asia as a cheap labour pool. Where local legislation differs from international standards, I comply with the law while holding myself to the higher standard.
Environmental Responsibility
I run a digital business with a small footprint, but I’m not pretending that makes it zero. I care about sustainability and make choices that reflect that: recommending efficient hosting, building lightweight websites, and being mindful of the environmental cost of the technology stack I use and recommend to clients.
Clients and Partners
I can’t audit every client’s entire supply chain. But I can pay attention. When I take on a client, I consider whether their business aligns with the values in this statement. I engage with my partners and demonstrate my own standards through how I operate. If something doesn’t sit right, I’ll say so—and if it can’t be resolved, I’ll walk away.
Accountability
This isn’t a legal document. It’s a personal commitment. I publish it because I believe in transparency and because I want the people I work with to know where I stand. If you ever feel I’m falling short of what’s written here, I want to hear about it.
