Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Hephzibah.
Hi Ella, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We are Ella and Jeremiah Hephzibah, husband-and-wife owners of Big Guy Catering and The Luna Lux Lounge in Jackson, Michigan. Together, we’ve built two businesses around something that matters deeply to us: bringing people together through good food, thoughtful hospitality, and experiences that make them feel welcome.
Our story began long before we opened a business. Jeremiah’s love for cooking started as a young boy watching his grandmother prepare holiday meals. Those moments inspired him to pursue culinary education and develop his craft. Food became his way of caring for people, whether he was preparing a wedding meal or feeding someone experiencing homelessness.
We started Big Guy Catering in 2019, combining his culinary talent with my background in business, leadership, and relationship building. We brought different strengths to the same vision. Through weddings, corporate events, family celebrations, food truck service, and bartending, we built relationships with people who trusted us with some of their most meaningful moments. We learned that the details matter: how the food tastes, how it looks, how smoothly an event runs, and how people feel when we serve them.
As Big Guy Catering grew, so did our vision. We wanted to create a place in Jackson where people could enjoy the kind of intimate, sophisticated experience they might otherwise travel out of town to find. That dream became The Luna Lux Lounge, which opened in August 2025 at 128 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Jackson.
Luna brings together Creole-inspired food, handcrafted cocktails, music, and an atmosphere that invites people to settle in and enjoy themselves. I care deeply about the feeling of a space—the lighting, the décor, the comfort, and the welcome. Jeremiah brings that same care to the food. Together, we wanted to give our community a place for date nights, celebrations, conversations, and connections.
Our tagline, “Everyone Shines Under the Moon,” expresses what we want Luna to stand for. We welcome people from different backgrounds and walks of life, and we love seeing them enjoy the same space and get to know one another.
Building these businesses has taken patience, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning. We are grateful for the guidance we’ve received, the team that helps carry out our vision, and the customers who have supported us from our catering beginnings to the opening of Luna.
When I think about recognition, I think about everyone who has been part of this journey. We are proud to be a Black-owned husband-and-wife business investing in Jackson. Our story is about taking our individual gifts, building something together, and creating experiences that give people another reason to celebrate and connect right here at home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Building Big Guy Catering and The Luna Lux Lounge has brought us joy and pride, but it has also tested our patience, our finances, and our perseverance.
Some of our biggest struggles have been finding and retaining dependable staff, managing cash flow, and learning that being busy doesn’t always mean being profitable. We’ve had to adjust our offerings, rethink pricing, and find ways to deliver a consistent experience while protecting the businesses’ financial health.
As a husband-and-wife team, we’re also learning how to balance marriage with business ownership. We bring different strengths—Jeremiah focuses heavily on the food and daily execution, while I focus on strategy, relationships, marketing, and growth. Keeping those roles aligned takes communication and grace.
We’re proud of what we’ve built, but we’re still learning. Behind every catered celebration and every beautiful evening at Luna are difficult decisions, long hours, and a commitment to keep improving. The road hasn’t been smooth, but our purpose—and the people we serve—keeps us moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My husband, Jeremiah, and I own Big Guy Catering and The Luna Lux Lounge in Jackson, Michigan. Our work centers on bringing people together through flavorful food, thoughtful service, and memorable experiences. Jeremiah leads the culinary side, while I focus on business development, relationships, marketing, and the guest experience.
Through Big Guy Catering, we specialize in weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, grazing tables, and bartending services. We’re known for bold flavors, beautiful presentations, and giving each event personal attention. We want our clients to feel confident that their guests will be well cared for, so they can enjoy the occasion themselves.
At Luna Lux, we bring that same hospitality into an intimate lounge setting with Creole-inspired dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and an atmosphere designed for connection. My love for décor and creating welcoming spaces shapes the experience, from the lighting and seating to the way we greet our guests. We want people to feel comfortable dressing up, unwinding, celebrating, and meeting someone new.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve combined our individual strengths to build something together that serves our community. There is something special about catering a family’s milestone celebration and later welcoming them into Luna. Those relationships mean so much to us, and we’re grateful for the customers who have grown with us.
What sets us apart is the care we put into the whole experience. Jeremiah thinks about flavor and presentation; I think about how people feel from their first inquiry to their last goodbye. We bring those perspectives together because a memorable experience depends on every detail.
Our Luna tagline, “Everyone Shines Under the Moon,” reflects the heart of our work. We want people from different backgrounds to feel welcome, valued, and connected. Being able to create that feeling through both of our businesses is something I take great pride in
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about Jackson is the sense of community. As business owners, we get to see how meaningful it is when people show up for one another—supporting a local business, celebrating a milestone, or spreading the word about something new. We’ve built relationships through Big Guy Catering and Luna Lux that mean far more to us than a transaction. I also love being part of downtown and contributing to the experiences people can enjoy right here at home.
What I like least is that we sometimes underestimate what Jackson can become. I’d love to see more openness to new ideas and more connection across different circles in our community. There is so much talent and creativity here, and we all benefit when we make room for it. Part of our purpose with Luna is to help create those connections—a place where people from different backgrounds can come together, feel welcome, and enjoy our city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lunaluxlounge.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568245918484
