title: clone git repo into a new project
body: <p>this may seem like a simple question, can I and how do i clone an existing repository for a new project, without changing / effecting that existing project?</p>
  
  <p>I have two starter projects that I use as templates both include a few submodules, When I start a new project I'd like to clone that repository, and then get going with in my new repo with beanstalk or bitBuket.</p>
  
  <p>any help would be appreciated.</p>
  
  <p>note : </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>I'm not a terminal pro so.....</li>
  <li>I use Tower for Git repo management with beanstalk and bitBucket</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>EDIT : </p>
  
  <p>I'd be happy to take a crack at this with terminal if thats the way it needs to be done, to clarify my objective - I need to : </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>clone a local repository</li>
  <li>initialize its submodules</li>
  <li>share it with my team via bitbucket or beanstalk (ideally the second)</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>from whats been posted essentially I need to mimic the fork functionality and then be able to push that to one of the services mentioned.</p>