At Hudelist, we view retirement as more than a simple financial exit, or the end. It represents a profound life transition. With over thirty years of experience managing global businesses and navigating complex corporate environments across various continents, I realized that the true challenges of retiring go beyond balance sheets. They center on finding renewed purpose, ensuring family security, and gaining a sense of confidence in your future lifestyle. This realization led to the creation of Hudelist Retirement Advisory. I partner with executives, business owners, and seasoned professionals to guide them through high-stakes transitions. Whether your goal is to exit a company, relocate to another country, or simply design a meaningful next step, we offer the strategic clarity required for such significant moves. My philosophy is rooted in independence and directness. I provide objective guidance rather than selling products. By asking the right questions and listening deeply, I help you define a path that reflects your values. Your future deserves the same strategic rigor you applied to the career that got you here.
austria > New York > California > Hawaii > Hefe/Anhui > Hong Kong > Nevada > Croatia > Today
Consulting Philosophy
Hands-On Partnership
You are not another client. I am here for you and we work together. I work with a limited amount of clients. All have my full attention.
Direct & Unfiltered
You will get clear answers. No fluff, no AI noise. No 80 page reports, a clean and honest road map.
Result Obsession
In the end there is a clear answer, quick and realistic. It doesn't end with that. We implement and tackle the issues together.
I am someone to talk to, someone who did it - practically.
Client Success Stories
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Erwin doesn’t just advise; he embeds himself in the situation. His impact was immediate and profound.
Owner, Logistics Sector
Gold Coast, Florida
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Moving from Germany to Italy was a big deal for us. My wife and I had serious doubts but with Erwin we created a Plan"B". That made us feel better. So far there was no need for the Plan "B".
Founder, Shipping  broker, Köln - Germany
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My business was in Kowloon, HK. I decided to sell and move to Croatia. When I started I got confused and asked Erwin for advice. I only spend 4 hours with him and now?
Greetings from Rovinj!
Managing Director, Tech M&A Hong Kong
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I talked to Erwin about my retirenment plans. I was not comfortable to talk to any of my family or friends about it. We had a good and productive time and I decided not to retire. Â I can recommend talking to him at least to get a feeling for the situation.Â
Retail business owner, Berlin
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Living and working in the northeast I hated winter. We decided to buy and move to Italy, Erwin recommended to rent not buy. we did and I am glad we did. Because we ended up in Greece and are happy here.Â
Car dealer, Vermont
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We are planning to move from Austria to California. The US immigration is difficult. We are still working with Erwin and we feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Farmer, Styria, AustriaÂ
Disclaimer: I do not provide legal, accounting or formal investment services. My consulting is built upon authentic global experience and navigating the same life shifts I now help others manage. I operate as a dedicated advocate for my clients without the influence of third-party commissions or incentives. For your complete peace of mind, I recommend that our collaborative strategy be verified by your personal CPA or legal counsel.
If you are interested - here is my short story.
At 49, I made the bold decision to retire early. The motivation? Too many people around me were falling victim to heart attacks and other serious health issues—it felt like a warning I couldn't ignore. With a young daughter at home and a firm belief that I could thrive without a traditional job, I took the leap. In 2010, right in the middle of the Great Recession, I packed up our life in Hawaii, moved to Nevada, and bought a big house. I was ready to embrace the dream: sleeping in, having zero plans, floating in the pool by 9 AM, watching sports from the jacuzzi, and saying goodbye to calls, lunches, and business dinners.
Week one was paradise. Week four, boredom crept in. By week nine, I was in hell. I felt utterly unimportant, I was driving my wife crazy, and I had no hobbies to speak of. At nearly 50, I found myself with no job, no business, and no identity. I tried filling the void - joined a gym, started playing soccer again - but nothing stuck. On top of that, I ran into a host of practical headaches: insurance issues, tax complications, and the nagging sense that I had jumped too soon.
So I stayed retired in spirit, but I started not one, but two small new businesses - both designed to run from home on ten hours or less a week. Drawing on my experience in China, I launched a paper export business. At the same time, I partnered with a German company to build a sustainability venture. It worked beautifully. I was back on the phone, closing deals, and watching both ventures grow - all while maintaining the freedom to travel and spend quality time with my family.
The mindset made all the difference: if it works, great; if not, that's fine too. With that pressure off, both businesses flourished with remarkably little stress. The paper business eventually generated over $7 million in revenue, and while the sustainability side was smaller, it was deeply rewarding. Before retiring, my earlier businesses had been operating in the $30 million range - and I was honored to be named Entrepreneur of the Year twice by Ernst & Young, and Industry Person of the Year by the American Publishing Association.
Over the years, we moved from Nevada to California, then to Austria, and eventually settled on a stunning island in Dalmatia, where I still live today. I kept an office in Hong Kong until 2022 and still maintain one in Nevada. The money I had - and the money I made - I invested, and I was fortunate to see it grow steadily.
Financially, I'm now independent. Professionally, it was an incredibly fulfilling journey. But after stepping away again, I've realized that the most valuable part of this experience isn't the money or the awards - it's the lessons learned along the way. I've met many business owners who are exiting, many who want to retire, many with dreams of finally doing what they've always wanted - but who lack the guts to take the leap. So I became a consultant for retirees, almost by accident. And I love doing it. Today, I'm ready to share those lessons with others - including you, if you've found this business online - who find themselves in the same position I once did: standing at a crossroads, wondering what comes next.