How Balo is Transforming Enterprise Support: CEO Michael Joo Shares His Journey

Deepinder Kaur

4 mins read

Published:

21 March 2025

Updated:

16 May 2025

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Since its inception, Balo has been on a mission to redefine enterprise support—offering fast, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions through a global network of vetted Salesforce experts.

From company registration to accounting and tax compliance, partnering with Sleek gave Balo the strong foundation it needed to scale efficiently. We sat down with Michael Joo, CEO and co-founder of Balo, to hear about his entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind Balo, and what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up.

What is Balo, and what problem does it solve?

Balo is the always-on help desk powered by the top 1% of Salesforce Experts globally.

Traditional enterprise support is slow, expensive, and inefficient, relying on agencies and long-term contracts. Balo changes that.

With our Expert-Driven Help Desks (EDHD), businesses can instantly connect with vetted Salesforce experts for:

✅ Technical troubleshooting
✅ Best practice guidance
✅ Licensing and strategy consulting
✅ Hands-on support and training

The platform ensures businesses get real-time, high-quality support; without the delays or high costs of traditional consulting.

🔗 Learn more about Balo’s vision in this Antler Investor Memo.

Here’s what customers see when they use Balo for expert support. It’s clean, it’s straightforward, and fully-transparent.

What inspired you to start Balo?

With over 13 years in the Salesforce ecosystem and a track record of building successful agencies, I saw a major gap in enterprise software support.

Businesses were stuck with slow, costly support models, often waiting days for answers or paying high fees for traditional agencies. I knew there had to be a better way.

I tested my idea with top Salesforce freelancers, proving the demand for fast, expert-led support. Joining Antler’s Residency Program helped refine the business model, secure funding, and connect me with my co-founder, Yomi Joseph. That’s how Balo was born.

What are your superpowers as entrepreneurs?

Yomi and I thrive on execution—we don’t just strategize; we make things happen. Whether it’s validating ideas, refining processes, or scaling operations, we stay laser-focused on results. That relentless drive has been key to turning Balo into a growing success.

What do you wish you knew before starting Balo?

The biggest lesson? There’s a huge difference between building a traditional business and a venture-backable one.

Scaling a high-growth startup requires a different mindset—one focused on long-term vision, scalability, and investor alignment. The Antler program gave us this perspective and a framework to think beyond just building a business—to aiming for a billion-dollar company.

How did Antler support your journey?

Antler played a pivotal role in Balo’s success:

🔹 Validated our business model rigorously
🔹 Refined our solution to ensure product-market fit
🔹 Helped us find the right co-founder with aligned vision and complementary strengths

Their structured process made sure Yomi and I were on the same page—a critical factor for any startup’s success.

What advice do you have for new business owners, especially when it comes to company registration, accounting, and compliance?

Starting a business comes with a maze of regulations—and the rules change constantly. The best advice I can give? Don’t do it alone.

Find a responsive, specialized expert who understands the complexities and goes the extra mile to simplify things for you. That’s why we chose Sleek—based on a recommendation, and we’re glad we did.

Sleek made everything seamless—from company registration to complex tax questions. They provided quick responses, expert advice, and a hassle-free experience.

Why did you choose Sleek as your service partner?

Simple: Ease, responsiveness, and affordability.

Sleek didn’t just handle our company setup—they took the time to understand our business and our unique needs as founders. That level of personalized support made a huge difference.

What has been the highlight of working with Sleek?

From zero to fully registered company—with all legal and compliance matters in place—the process with Sleek was effortless.

For any entrepreneur looking to start their business without the usual headaches, I’d highly recommend Sleek. They handle the back-end so you can focus on growing your company.