Keep in mind that they are essentially shareholders in the Steemit company. They earn the dividends as the company grows and develops. And should they curate something or call it out, they are reaping the benefits of those shares. These accounts started when Steemit was completely invisible and has grown with it.

Everyone else that started in this wave of minnows will have to have similar patience and faith in the growth of the platform. Fortunately, there is increasing support of these minnows: e.g. #minnowsupportproject