Killing time until it's your turn. (entrepreneur Andrzej Hadas)

In the past seven years, Andrzej Hadas has launched two successful entrepreneurial ventures. He has also learned some lessons about timing and juggling business resources.

Hadas, born in Poland, earned a master's degree in engineering and telecommunications at Warsaw Polytechnic. As a hard worker with high aspirations, he felt stymied by lack of opportunity in his homeland.

"It was hard to get ahead by doing good, honest work," he said.

In 1980, Hadas came to the United States and worked as a technician until his English-language skills improved. Eventually he landed engineering jobs commensurate with his training. In the late '80s, he was hired by an East …