Survey data analysis in three stages over a five year period is reported to explore the idea that successful
women business owners develop and utilize a "culture of trust and commitment" in their firms and that this
culture is a fundamental contributor to their high financial and organizational performance. Responses of
more than 1,000 employees from 18 small businesses (14 owned by women, 4 by men) to the 95 questions
of the Quality Leadership Survey (QLS) are given. The QLS in part directly assesses the broad concept of
culture and the specific constructs of trust and commitment. Extensive statistical calculations are employed
to examine the possibility that trust and commitment are closely linked and are the foundation of a distinct
culture created and nurtured by outstanding women entrepreneurs. The authors believe the education and
training on the subject of culture will be very helpful to current and future entrepreneurs.