By LISA SWAN

With the New Year, some people start thinking of starting a new business. Of course, much of this is wishful thinking or fantasizing, but some of them have business ideas that could potentially be successful. Some of the more potentially successful new businesses out there are related to things people already did for somebody else. Here are some tips on doing so in the right way:

Use your past and present to guide your future

For example, a computer technician leaves a big company working on office computers to start her own business working on personal computers in people’s homes. Or a pastry chef at a restaurant starts her own bakery. Those are just some of the potential ideas that current employees can use when they become entrepreneurs.

But be careful. If you have signed a non-compete clause, you would most likely not be able to do the same sort of business or even a similar sort of business. But check with a lawyer to see if that limits you everywhere, or just in your current company’s service area.

No matter what, learn as much as you can at your current company

The more you know about your current organization, and the more varied the positions, the better employee — and better future entrepreneur — you can potentially be. There is a reason McDonald’s has every future manager start out filling the French fry containers, flipping burgers, and working the cash register – so they know every facet of the company.

So learn as much as you can now, so that you are experienced at every facet of your own business. This will put you in good stead to doing such a career on your own.

Talk with a career coach about your strengths and weakness

Here’s something important to consider, though. You may have the most knowledge out there, but if you are not a good manager, and have issues with getting motivated or being a self-starter, maybe going out on your own is not right for you right now. However, a business coach can work with you in improving your entrepreneurial and managerial skills so that you can potentially run your own business. Click here to learn more.

Ask your current boss to mentor you

If you are doing a new type of business that will not directly compete with your boss, you may be able to get some guidance from his or her on your idea. If your boss has a local business, and you would be doing the same type of business, but outside their area, you also may be able to talk to your boss about moving on, and ask for tips on how to do so. Of course, if you would if you would be a direct competitor of your current company, you are not going to be able to rely on such help.

Of course, if you are going into a different field, but using the skills and acumen you acquired at your current place of employment, which is a different matter. At any rate, though, your current boss may or may not help you. Either way, take it in stride.