Lighthouse on the Lake is more than just a venue – it is a symbol of family, faith, and service.
When Tim and Dr. Jewell Winn first walked into the property that would become Lighthouse on the Lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee, they couldn’t have imagined the full scope of what God was preparing for them. What began as a dream of owning a catering facility has blossomed into a thriving event space, hosting events like weddings, private parties, corporate functions, and other special occasions.
Tim’s journey started decades ago in West Palm Beach, Florida, where his love for food and hospitality first took shape. From a young age, Tim bused tables, washed dishes, and immersed himself in the restaurant business. After training in culinary arts, he moved to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University and interned with Marriott. There, he embraced what the company called its “gold standard” of service, an ethic he carried into his own venture, Catering Concepts by Timothy, launched in 1997. “Be ready for what you ask for,” he said, recalling how he once told a realtor he would someday own his own space. Years later, that vision came to life when the doors of Lighthouse on the Lake opened in August 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic.
With over 30 years of experience in management and administration, Dr. Jewell, a native Nashvillian, brought a wealth of knowledge to Lighthouse on the Lake. She explained that those years of developing both soft and hard skills became essential when building the team to carry out the vision. Training staff to not only understand structure but to embrace hospitality required her to draw from lessons learned while watching Tim manage restaurants at the Marriott and lead their family business, Catering Concepts by Timothy. By blending her leadership expertise with his gift for hospitality, Jewell created an intersection where structure and warmth could thrive together, the perfect foundation for the Lighthouse.
Survival during those uncertain times was no small feat. “When we first opened, we were the only venue around still taking events,” Jewell remembered. “We were so busy we couldn’t think straight.” But as more competition emerged, they knew Lighthouse had to be more than just another wedding venue. For Tim and Jewell, it became about intentional food, exceptional service, and creating experiences that left lasting impressions.
Their shared faith has been the cornerstone of both their marriage and business. Married for 24 years, the couple believes their spiritual foundation is what sustains them. “Everything we do, we put God first,” Jewell said. “That’s been the strength of our business partnership as well as our personal one.”
The venue also reflects their family legacy. Jewell’s late father, John Green, a Nashville band director and musician who played alongside icons like Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke, inspired the use of the Lighthouse stage for live music and community events. Their son, a musician himself, carries forward that tradition. “I grew up in a house full of music,” Jewell shared. “I grew up around music. I woke up with music, and I went to bed with music. I would go to the downtown public library with him to go to the music room so he could help me understand the different genres of music and appreciate music. So when we got here and we saw the space, I’m like, oh my gosh, if dad were alive today, which was only two years after his death, he would be right here.” Every first Tuesday of the month, visitors of The Lighthouse on the Lake can enjoy their Jazz Jam live music experience.
Beyond events and music, Tim has expanded into another unexpected venture: Tim’s Southern Tea. Once just a beverage offered with catering orders, the tea—blended with nine or ten fruit juices to naturally sweeten without added sugar—has become its own product, sold both locally and online. Let me be the first one to tell you, this tea is IT!
Lighthouse on the Lake also offers an amazing brunch experience every second and fourth Sunday of the month, where visitors can enjoy mimosas and a hot buffet of breakfast favorites.
Through it all, the couple views their work as service to their clients, their community, and their faith. “We want to leave something that’s wholesome, positive, encouraging,” Tim explained. “A legacy not just of food or music, but of entrepreneurship, marriage, and faith.”
Jewell added, “Leadership is about inspiring others to believe in themselves. If we can leave a legacy of service, then we’ve done what we were called to do.”
Grounded in Dr. Jewell’s leadership and Tim’s vision for hospitality, this couple believes their motto, “it’s always better on the lake,” reflects not just the setting, but the spirit of community and excellence they’ve built at the Lighthouse.
Photography + Video: Elle Danielle
To get more guides and stories of the people behind the culture and soul of Nashville, subscribe to our weekly newsletter HERE.
This is a very nice place. We enjoyed the hospitality, food and atmosphere. It’s really nice to see them featured in your magazine!
We love to hear it.