What about ... building a thriving business that generates — gasp — actual profit? Why would I as an equity-holder care if the company is generating a profit,

What about ... building a thriving business that generates — gasp — actual profit? Why would I as an equity-holder care if the company is generating a profit, unless that helps it exit? The only way I'm ever going to see a return is if the company exits. If it's profitable but cannot exit (from what I've heard, porn sites would be examples of this), then it's worthless to me.