Torie Smith Dr. h.c. | Hospitality Keynote Speaker | CToday Awards

Interview Questions:

1. Your Leadership Journey
Could you take us through the key milestones of your career? What pivotal decisions or challenges shaped your path to leadership, and what are some initiatives or projects you are currently focused on?

Two weeks before High School graduation, I had no idea what I was going to do. I knew what I was passionate about, good at, but had no real direction. I figured I would take a few pre-reqs at the local JC, and figure it out from there. 

My dad came into my bedroom, asking me, ‘where I was going to go for college?’ (I didn’t even take the SAT’s). I told him, ‘I wasn’t’, He told me ‘I was’. The next day a representative for a private art school, presented in my photography class. A month later, I was shaking hands with the Dean at orientation. 

For my final thesis and brand vision paper, I wrote about creating an art centric boutique hotel; dripping in gems, mother nature and chandeliers, I would call it, “The Dazzle”. 

I had zero experience in hospitality at that point, but I had a BA in Visual Communications (Deans Award), a deep passion and love for magazines; a dream to live in Australia. I set my sights on being a Magazine Editor in Australia.

I passed all the academia test to get my visa to go to Australia, and then the Universe stepped in, just as it had, so many times before.

For a week straight, every time I got in the shower, I would hear this intuitive call, “to go live in a ski town, before you sit in cubicle”, I could smell the chimney smoke. 

It was such a vivid communication, that I couldn’t not see what this side quest was all about. 

Low and behold, I was thrust into, “hospitality central”. I fell in love on day one, I wanted to know everything there was to know. I also fell in love with the community of this little mountain town. 

I took opportunity’s to live in other places, learn different etiquettes, techniques, ways of operating and meet new people. Always, retuning home to the mountains.

It’s been 20 years, learning the in’s and outs; every aspect of this industry, from the ground up. Over 20 Bars, Restaurants, Hotels and Casinos (often working multiple, simultaneously — I enjoy variety); California, Colorado, New York and Las Vegas.

I even took a position in Luxury Retail, to get a look at the inner workings of the world of craftsmanship, wearable art; with history, tradition and generational technique.

I’ve treated every opportunity/job/gig as a way to get paid to go to school. I’ve written a business analysis on every place I’ve ever worked. Simultaneously, crafting my own business plan, fueled by inspiration and direct pivots, of observed ways of operating.

I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Presidents, GM’s and Owners; calling them on their bullshit; requesting change, illuminating idiocracy and illegal practices; going as far as reporting them to the BBB and sending corporate full-blown feedback letters.

Something with in me, feels the need to leave places better than I found them. Leave my co-workers in a more supportive environment.

Organically, I’ve found myself in leadership positions and roles. I prioritize health, safety, liability and humanity. 

I’m kind of like a walking confessional, people tell me their qualms and concerns, their desires and requests. I make sure they are heard and addressed.

Getting married and becoming a mom in 2016, transformed me. I saw the world through a more connected, grounded, selfless lens. It changed how I felt, engaged, treated and performed at work. It shifted my internal pace, perspective, drive and vision for the future.

In 2018, I was catapulted into unknown territory (even more unknown than matrimony and motherhood). The Universe rip-corded me out of the establishment I worked at, for 10 years. I started channeling Source Frequency and birthing my brand Empathic Gangster®. 

With a graphic design degree, I’ve been able to hand craft the foundation of my brand myself. Channel writing, led to me writing articles for magazines about Consciousness, which led to receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Advanced Studies of Psychology.

I’m so grateful to live in this day and age, where we have the opportunity to share our experiences, perspectives, art and heart with the world. PR has been such a blessing.

I get thousands of PR offers every year, and I say, “no thank you” allot. The opportunity has to be something I cannot offer myself.

I am very transparent, about what I require to collaborate. This approach not only ensures an accurate representation of my work but it works great, as an organic filtration system. Those who are just trying to sell me, go away. Those who legitimately resonate with me, what I offer and bring to the table, are willing to work with me; my requests, timelines, perspectives, requirements. Life long friendship dynamic(s) evolve.

Social Media came with a steep learning curve, but it taught me so much. It showed me how much I truly love in-person connection. It also showed me the importance of taking my time and allowing people to truly get to know me, so that what I am sharing can be received with accuracy and heart-intent.

My career has come with twists, turns and side quests; yet they all merge together to support one another — in a grander inevitable.

2026
Top Spirit Advisor and Thought Leader of the Year
A Spirit Advisor that pours spirits;
passionate about bringing mindfulness
and quantum science to consumption.

Being a multifaceted artist/individual; I am a mom and a wife. I love drawing, painting, writing, photography, digital (graphic) art, speaking, dancing, music, acting, modeling, improv, bartending, hospitality, being an athlete… 

The world tells you to pick one. 

I can’t, and I don’t want to — I’m not leaving any aspect of myself behind.

My brand is very “down the rabbit hole”. It’s taken me almost 10 years to fully design my boutique hospitality experience; 20 to gather the relationships, experience, insight and skill sets.

I’m excited to bring it all together for the world to experience. For others to finally be able to step through the doors of my reality, heart and mind.

An interactive art experience, where multiple layers of engagement exist. Individuals can come and celebrate special occasions, be inspired by artists of the world, sign up for Galactic Attunement™ sessions, utilize the media studio to share their own art/artist journey…

Up until this point, I have funded my entire brand foundation via Bartending and personal know how. I’ve been switching gears in order to fund my hospitality experience (after investing in capital investment training, I realized I don’t want an investor). 

I enrolled myself in Speaker Training, to launch my Hospitality Keynote Speaking career; a way to not only fund my vision, but help Hospitality Management worldwide. Utilizing the 20 years of patterns and insight; I have learned and gained from working the frontline, and being the communication bridge between them and management/corporate.

2. Guiding Principles
What values or beliefs have remained central to how you lead and grow professionally? How have these influenced the way you approach your work and your team?

My beliefs about humanity, 100% fuel my engagement with them.

I was raised around athletes, professionals; the talented, the skilled, the impressive, the competent and confident (I don’t know that they saw themselves that way, but I certainly viewed them as such.)

Therefore, I only know humanity to be this; competent, ingenuitive, creative, capable, impressive.

I like to impress, anticipate the need, pay attention to the details; blow peoples minds with mindfulness and creativity.

The way I move is like a dance, in-flow, like I’m on the basketball court. The conversations we have; no one leaves the same person, as they walked in.

My internal foundational belief system, stems from Galactic Law; the spiritual laws that govern The Universe.

Dissolving hierarchy, illuminating galactic magnificence and encoded flawlessness; tend to be the undertone of my organic conversations.

My job is to support, and ensure law, liability, safety, health and wellness.

I treat people the way I would want to be treated. My number one focus is setting my team up for success. I’m very transparent and straight to the point, I’m not going to be a dick about it but I’m also not going to beat around the bush.

I’m able to see and feel someones heart before anything else, which allows me to support them on a foundational level. Cutting though programming, speaking to a soul resonate aspect of them, that knows they are free to be themselves fully, in my presence.

Seeing peoples magnificence and genius has always come naturally, it’s like my being refuses to see anything but worthiness and impressiveness. Simultaneously, holding compassion and grace for their growth journey.

Because of this, I am able to place individuals in roles that allow them to shine, to grow and become a version of themselves, they never thought possible.

3. Recognition and Impact
Among the recognitions you’ve received, which award or accomplishment in 2025 holds the most meaning for you, and why?

I’ve never been an awards, accomplishments, trophies focused person.

I’m here for the experience, the adventure, the memories, the friendships.

My grandfather had an entire room full of trophies (jet boat racer), but not the greatest relationships — even as a kid, that didn’t seem like success to me.

As an adult, I am so grateful for the opportunities and experiences, that allow me to participate and share my stories and perspectives; sometimes awards and accomplishments follow.

Receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Advanced studies of Psychology (2025) based on my writing and contributions to humanity in the field of Consciousness, was pretty cool.

Accepting it, was something I mulled over for about a year. I’ve got a rebel heart. I was considered a “trouble teen” at one point (kind of wild to think about). I went to AA and therapy before I even graduated High School.

I don’t really see pieces of paper as my success story. It’s the relationships, how I make people feel, the effect I have on them, that’s the real accomplishment.

4. The Road Ahead
From your perspective, where is your industry headed in the coming years? Are there any emerging trends, technologies, or shifts that you believe will redefine the landscape?

This is a layered question. On a broad note, the hospitality industry is going more experiential, they are diversifying. Not just a place to come and go, but a place you interact with, a place to remember. A place that inspires, changes how you see the world, yourself, life.

Nature, craftsmanship, details in aesthetics, mindfulness of presentation. We are starting to see high-end techniques and ways of operating trickle down to the ground floor (coffee shops and cafes).

On another level, how staff is treated is shifting — I’m excited to be at the forefront of this.

Hospitality is a beast, you either step up or step off, and rightfully so.

In 20 years, I have never met a hospitality professional who wasn’t impressive and versatile. Multi-talented, often educated, athletic, tons of personality, insane work ethic, time management skills, emotional maturity… it takes a very dynamic individual to do what it entails to entertain and please the masses, day-in and day-out.

They deserve to be treated as such, set up for success; treated like competent and capable adults, who’s lives (outside of work) matter.

People know their worth more than ever before, they are not going to put up with the old ways of operating for a paycheck. Being yelled at, demeaned, run into the ground, tested; those days are over. People have dreams, goals, lives, standards; if you’re not a leader who respects that, supports that and gets that, you’re not going to be leader for much longer.

5. Advice for Future Leaders
What message or piece of guidance would you offer to the next generation of professionals entering your field, especially those who aim to create a meaningful impact?

Engage, do your best and enjoy.

Every role, that presents itself is an opportunity (even the temporary) to grow, discover, learn, connect. Everything in life is a neutral mirror, everything serves, everything has value; even when you don’t resonate, like or approve of certain things, you’re learning.

Make friends with everyone; relationships and connections are the keys to success.

Every time you show up to work, your performance is a reflection of your brand, not just theirs.

Have fun! Life is suppose to be fun; every opportunity is an adventure. If you’re not having fun, trying shifting your perspective, if it’s still not working for you, go try something else.

Position yourself in places that add to your tool box of skill sets. Working for someone else, can often feel like working to fuel someone else dream, but inevitably you’re working to fuel your own. Get paid to go to school.