non compete with a new business

I work for a company in the Advertising Specialties market. I have been there for the last 2.5 years of my life and have enjoyed the time their. I signed a non-compete offer at the begining of my employment as a condition of employment. The company president and CEO I still consider a friend of mine and probably will even after this. Recently, the company has changed directions on which way policies should go and what policies were set. Many of these policies are not in writing and quite honestly change from week to week. I understand that it is their company and appreciate they can do business how ever they see fit. It is ,however, difficult for me to stay on in this place with the kind of issues that they have going on in there. Further, many of the clients that are on my client list were brand new to the company and picked up directly by me. Many of these clients also are outside of our county many are even further than out of state. My question is this, Can I start my own business using the suppliers that I have already used in the past and clients that are mine? Do I have to go out and get entirely new clients. Is this something that I can negotiate with the owners about? Any help would be appreciated