What Does Jeb Bush Do For A Living

So, I’m scrolling through my feed the other day, and a photo pops up of Jeb Bush—you know, that Bush—sitting in a boardroom, grinning like he just found a five-dollar bill in an old suit jacket. He’s wearing a crisp shirt, no tie, and his posture screams, “I’m relaxed but I still matter, okay?” My first thought? Wait, what does this guy actually do for a living?

Because, let’s be honest: when you hear “Jeb Bush,” you probably think: Florida governor, brother of one president, son of another, and that awkward “please clap” moment from his 2016 campaign. But that was years ago. So what now? Is he just chilling in a private equity cloud, sipping expensive coffee and reminiscing about the good old days?

I had to dig in, and the answer is surprisingly... busy. Jeb hasn’t faded into some political retirement home. He’s built a whole second act, one that’s part corporate shark, part education reformer, and part family man with a weirdly specific obsession with public policy memos.

The Private Equity Player (Or, “How to Make Money Without Running for Office”)

Let’s start with the cash cow. Jeb Bush is a partner at a private equity firm called CAZ Investments. (Say it with me: CAZ, like “cazh,” but with more money.) He joined them in 2020, and their whole deal is buying up companies, fixing them, and selling them—often involved with energy, health care, and financial services.

But get this: he’s not just a pretty name on a letterhead. Jeb actually works on deals. Sources say he flies around, schmoozes with executives, and even helps negotiate. Ironic, right? The guy who couldn't sell himself to voters in 2016 is now a master at selling companies. (Maybe he should have used that charm on the debate stage, but hey, hindsight is 20/20.)

Still, there’s a joke inside the Bush family: Jeb was always the “serious” one, the policy wonk. So it makes sense he’d pivot to the world of spreadsheets and board meetings. No one’s asking him to “please clap” in a private equity boardroom—they just want returns.

Jeb Bush

The Education Crusader (Or, “Jeb’s Real Passion Project”)

Okay, but here’s where it gets a little less boring. Jeb Bush’s true job—the one that gets him out of bed—is education reform. He runs the Excellence in Education Foundation, a nonprofit he started back in the aughts.

This isn’t some vanity charity. He’s been pushing for school choice, charter schools, and testing standards for decades. He writes op-eds, speaks at conferences, and even brags about his time as Florida’s governor, where he overhauled the entire state’s education system. (The results? Debatable, but he’ll tell you they’re amazing.)

And here’s the kicker: he’s still at it. In 2023, he was in the news fighting for “parental rights” in schools—a topic that makes everyone in America either love or hate him. Love him or hate him, you have to admit: the guy really, really cares about how kids learn.

Jeb Bush on the Future of America and the GOP

Boardrooms and Book Clubs (Because Everyone Needs a Side Hustle)

If that wasn’t enough, Jeb is also a board member for a bunch of companies. He sits on the board of Bank of America (yes, the big one), plus a tech firm called Papa (which connects seniors with helpers, cute name). Each gig pays him six figures a year, easy.

Oh, and he writes books. He’s got a memoir, Immigration Wars, and a policy book about education. Not exactly beach reads, but he’s the kind of guy who thinks a well-placed comma can change history. (Seriously, read his Twitter feed—it’s all policy threads and “here’s why this tax cut matters.”)

But wait, there’s more. He’s also a speaker—not the “please clap” kind anymore, but the “pay me $50,000 to talk at your corporate retreat” kind. He does about 20 speeches a year, mostly on leadership, energy, and, yup, education.

Jeb Bush

The Weirdest Part: He’s Still a Policy Nerd

Here’s the thing that surprised me most: Jeb Bush still acts like he’s running for office. He sends out emails, gives interviews, and has a whole team tracking polling data. For what? He’s not running for anything—publicly, at least.

Some insiders say he’s positioning himself as a kingmaker in the Republican Party. Others say he’s just addicted to the game. I’m betting it’s a mix of ego and genuine concern—because nothing screams “I’m mentally still in 2015” like refreshing FiveThirtyEvery hour.

And let’s not forget his family. He’s a dad and a grandpa now, and he spends a lot of time in Miami, playing golf, and hanging with his wife, Columba. But even then, you know he’s probably texting his son about a new study on charter school funding.

Worth asking again: How does Jeb Bush make a living?

So, What’s the Verdict?

Jeb Bush’s “living” is a portfolio career: private equity money, education activism, board meetings, speeches, and a sprinkle of political obsession. He’s not a politician anymore, but he’s not exactly not one, either.

Honestly? He’s living the dream of every corporate guy who ever wanted to “make a difference.” He makes millions, influences policy, and never has to ask for applause again. (Unless, of course, he’s at a CAZ Investments retreat and someone forgets to clap after his earnings report. Then we riot.)

So next time you see Jeb Bush in a photo, don’t feel bad for him. He’s busy. He’s rich. And he’s probably writing a memo about why your local school district is doing it wrong. That’s his jam—and honestly, it’s a pretty solid living for a guy whose last campaign slogan was “Jeb can fix it.” (Spoiler: he’s still trying.)