Smart City Stories: Meet Tory
Walking into Smart City Denver, you’re welcomed by the comforting juxtaposition of an industrial building with exposed ductwork, decorated with books, gallery walls of pet portraits, cozy nooks, and upcycled midcentury modern furniture. Inside, you’ll hear the buzz of work-talk interrupted by moments of hysterical laughter. At the head of it all is Tory Cheney, the General Manager of Smart City Denver. From the interior design to the team’s mindset, Tory’s creative leadership has left its mark on Smart City Denver for over five years.
Smart City Denver Office
Tory’s journey at Smart City wasn’t something she mapped out from the start. When she first spotted the apartment locator job listing, she was working at a grocery store, feeling stuck and unsure about what came next. “I didn’t finish college, and while I believed in my ability to do more, I didn’t see a clear path.”
Like so many who find their way here, Tory’s start wasn’t in sales or real estate. In fact, she almost didn’t apply at all. “I never would have considered a sales role or a 100% commission role. That concept always repelled me.” But during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she took a leap, becoming the first agent hired when Smart City expanded out of Texas into Denver.
That leap changed everything. Tory calls joining Smart City “the best professional decision I’ve ever made.” In just her first full year, she tripled her previous annual income, unlocking the freedom to live on her own terms. The earning potential meant Tory could live in alignment with her values: contributing to her local community, expressing her identity, and supporting causes she cares about.
“I started investing in myself in a way I never could before; shopping at local businesses, supporting my community, joining a gym, getting tattoos, dyeing my hair… things I never had the ability to do,” she said. “I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, and I struggled with debt my entire adult life. Now I’m completely debt-free.”
Tory on Smart City Denver’s 5 Anniversaries
For Tory, the transformation wasn’t just financial. It also shaped how she thinks about work and life, and what she models for her team. “Our job is not our identity, our job is our job.” She works hard and leads by example, but she also makes space to travel, recharge, and enjoy life outside the office. Her team sees that balance in action, follows suit, and the results speak for themselves: happy, fulfilled employees who consistently beat their goals.
Leadership wasn’t initially on her radar either. “I loved the agent role. I didn’t want to rush into leadership because my only experience with it before was corporate and uninspiring,” Tory explained. “But something about Smart City was different. Leadership here really matters. The company listens to its people.”
Her proudest moment as a leader? “Hiring my first Sales Manager. It showed that I’d grown the market to the point where I needed help.”
Now, Tory’s mission is crystal clear: help her team transform their lives just like she did. If you’re ready to take control of your future, Tory’s story proves there’s no better place to start than Smart City.
