I've been self-employed for a long time now. Early in my self-employment, I was not always in a political position to say "No" to working with an asshole. Sometimes even later it would have been difficult to back out after I discovered that some guy (it is always a guy) is a complete asshole.

Over the years I've worked very hard to be in a position to not have to take work - but I've been lucky. Most people don't get the luxury of picking who they work with.