A competitive market structure is central to understanding the performance of companies andtheir strategies. However, organizations are also exposed to internal influences. Among them,there is the interference of mental models of entrepreneurs as a driving guide to organizationalperformance. The mental models help in building the power to facilitate the dynamics ofstrategic change and innovation in enterprises (LE BOTERF, 2003). Moreover, what are thebasic characteristics of mental models of entrepreneurs, contributing to better organizationalperformance? Based on this research question, this theoretical essay discusses the mentalmodels of entrepreneurs and their influence on business performance, resulting in a set ofpropositions that seek to better understand the difference in the level of organizationalperformance, especially in micro, small and medium enterprises. It was identified that theknowledge, skills emotional, mental and strategic, the ability of leadership, communicationand relationships, the involvement of family and culture and creativity and vocation toundertake are intrinsic elements to the mental models of entrepreneurs. Part of the differencein performance between organizations can be credited to these different elements, which formthe mental models of entrepreneurs.