This A-Profiler we bring you Steve Nguyen.

Your site URL:
www.stickblade.com

How many Steve Nguyen's do you know?
I know that there are a lot of Steve Nguyens all around the world that contribute a great deal to their respective communities (doctors, musicians, business owners, etc.), but I've never had the pleasure of meeting any of them personally. If I ever met a Steve Nguyen face to face, the first thing I would tell him would be, "Cool name, dude."

In eight words or less how would you describe yourself?
Talented and impressively well-rounded for someone so young.

Who got you started in filmmaking?
One of my biggest influences that got me started in filmmaking was my late eighth grade science teacher, Mr. Carl Pawl. When I was in the seventh grade, he was teaching an elective video production class that only had about ten students at the time. He could see that I had a lot of enthusiasm for film, so he would dedicate some of his time after school to really guide me through the process of filmmaking. For the most part, I considered him a mentor that taught me some of the key elements of filming and editing, which involved script writing, music, and how to cast the right people. The more I worked with him, the more my passion for film grew. After he passed away in 2000, everything that I've ever worked on with regards to film was dedicated in his memory.

What makes a good bowl of pho? What kind of pho do you order?
Most Viets would agree that a good bowl of pho absolutely must have warm and tasty broth that makes your mouth water when you take in that aroma, and of course... thinly sliced beef flank that I prefer rare, so I can let it simmer through the soup. Everything else is just an added bonus!

Usually I order Pho Tai Bo Vien, which is basically what I described up above... but with beef balls of ground beef. Mmm.... delicious.

Best late night spot to eat at in your hood?
I have to go with this place called The Kettle in Manhattan Beach. It's a place down the street from the Manhattan Beach pier that's always open, and it's absolutely got the best breakfast in the area for an affordable price!

Mac or PC? What do you think of Windows Vista?
I'm a PC... just like BG!

I run Windows Vista on my laptop, and I have to say that it's not as bad as most people advertise it. I rarely encounter any difficulties with it, and there are fewer system crashes than with XP due to the built-in firewall and anti-spyware programs. Most users will nitpick about how annoying the UAC is. The two main problems that I notice are the rapidly decreasing battery life and the amount of RAM it usually takes just to run Vista (at least 500MB). My opinion is that if you're satisfied with Windows XP Service Pack 2, there's no real need to upgrade. However, if you decide to invest in a PC... Vista should be reliable enough to carry you through the day.

Where do you see yourself when you turn 30?
Hopefully married with children and enjoying life even more. Right now, I'm just living life to have fun... doing what I love to do for a living, meeting new people, and I hope it remains that way for the next seven years.

I notice that you studied information Systems/Chemistry. How do those two subjects work hand in hand with what you want to accomplish?
Nowadays, hospitals are constantly developing technologically and utilizing these computer systems and networks in order to manage their tasks at an efficient rate. During the time I was in college majoring in Chemistry, I worked at the Riverside Community Hospital doing administrative tasks and patient care. One of my biggest responsibilities was to specifically overhaul their entire clinical Information system in order for physicians to be able to access patient data, as well as have them fill out electronic medical records for documentation purposes. It gave me a chance to learn the process of how hospitals operated from an IT standpoint, as well as being able to set up these networks for the administrators. From this particular hospital project, I was determined to offer business solutions to other small companies that needed similar services through Stickblade Incorporated.

Is there a difference between folks in Northern CA vs. Southern CA?
One word... "HELLA."

What kind of cell phone do you have? Have you been caught texting by your professor?
I own two cell phones: one business (Blackberry 8800) and one personal (iPhone 3G 16 GB). I usually don't text in class unless it's urgent, but I've never been caught in the act by a professor!

What's worse getting a bad grade in class or getting rejected by a girl and why?
It really depends how you look at the situation. If it was a girl you really liked, then it would be a lot worse getting rejected. If the test counted for 60% of your final grade and you totally bombed it, then that would be worse. I would say getting rejected by a girl would definitely be tougher to get over than a bad grade. At least you can retake the class, right?

What do you think Vietnamese people are best known for?
Is that a trick question? Haha.

What does being Asian Pacific American mean to you?
To me, being an Asian American is something to be very proud of because we have emerged as one of the most influential and rapidly growing cultures in the world. Nearly everything in modern society has been affected by what we have done, and our actions are going to continue to impact future generations for the greater good.

What would you rather be: a world famous actor or an owner of a fortune 500 company and why?
I would choose to be an owner of a Fortune 500 company. In this dire economy, I would be worried about losing my assets... but not as worried as losing my privacy.

Best current video game? Best video game console?
The best current video game that's out right now would have to be Street Fighter IV, because everybody is playing that! The best video game console is a toss up between the PlayStation 2 or 3. Hit me up online! (PSN ID- scnbenstein)

Biggest accomplishment you achieve today?
It may seem a bit materialistic because it deals with money, but I consider my biggest accomplishment to this day as being able to raise thousands of dollars for charities and organizations through various fundraisers that support the efforts of cancer awareness and prevention.

Thanks for taking time out to do this interview; any tips you like to leave all those future CEO's out there?
Just know that small businesses are usually associated with high risk with potential high return, so be realistic about what you could possibly end up gaining or losing. In order to be truly successful, capitalize on your knowledge and gather up as much experience as you can from working hard in your particular field. When it comes time to actually developing an idea from scratch, it is crucial to have a strong team of managers and employees that share your vision and focus on long term prospects rather than short term goals. By being aware of industry and consumer trends, hopefully you'll be able to spot potential threats and make the most of future opportunities. Also, remember that this is business is like war... so all is fair.

Thanks again AArisings! It's been a pleasure doing this interview.

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This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Ray Lam.
Special thanks to Steve Nguyen.

Photos used with permission.
Copyright retained by original copyright holder(s).