Shareholders own the company. They are literally the owners of the company. Like anything you own.
In the same way you own your house and pay a painter to paint it, the shareholders own the company and pay Nick to stamp boxes.
I don't know of anyone who has had work done on their home, and then upon selling the home, went back to the painter and said "Here is your cut of the profit we made selling our house, thanks for the great work!"
But I know and endless number of people who think that because they painted a house at an agreed price to make it look nice, they need to be cut in on the profit from selling the house.
In the same way you own your house and pay a painter to paint it, the shareholders own the company and pay Nick to stamp boxes.
I don't know of anyone who has had work done on their home, and then upon selling the home, went back to the painter and said "Here is your cut of the profit we made selling our house, thanks for the great work!"
But I know and endless number of people who think that because they painted a house at an agreed price to make it look nice, they need to be cut in on the profit from selling the house.