Re: distributing profits from a corp

You kind of answered your own question. Those are the only two ways to
get back your investment or earning on your investment, Dividends or
sale of stock. Take the Net Worth and divide it by the number of
shares. If the value per share is more than what you paid for it, then
you will have to pay a capital gain tax. If it is less then you get to
claim a loss which will net you some tax benefits. The dividend option
is tough because the BoD will have to approve it and they may not want
to disrupt their growth by giving you the cash. Treat it as a publicly
traded company; if you owned some Microsoft shares do you think they
would respond if you called them up and said "I want a dividend!" You
won't necessarily get one unless everyone else does. Microsoft would
probably tell you that if you wanted some cash just sell some stock. 
Is the company you own stock in publicly traded? (nyse, nasdaq, etc.?)
 If so, banks will loan you money on a percentage of the value
depending on the stock in question. Those are really your only
options.

Mike