The profit sharing is what would hook me and, I'm sure, plenty of other entrepreneur-minded programmers. That's something you can do at a small company that a big company won't do. It also gives employees a since of ownership, and aligns their incentives with the company's. I believe Wufoo did something similar with great success.
Right, anything else in such a people-dependent industry is capitalist bullshit.
The company consists of the people in it, they deserve a direct share in the profits.
We also live in Aspen, and my lead programer is a huge skier, so it is a unique and fun opportunity for him to ski and live in Aspen.
Also, I pay them competitively and give them a profit share.
We have a lot of fun and have a lot of fun at work trying to grow the business too, because it's good for everyone.