After leaving a high-paying executive position at a computer company, Balan honed her comedy skills making the rounds at local New York clubs. Using her quick wit and savvy sense of humor she soon found herself in high demand performing regularly at Caroline’s On Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club and The Comic Strip Live. Los Angeles soon came calling. Michele headed out west where she was soon a regular fixture at The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory and the Hollywood Improv. As Michele’s popularity grew the press and Hollywood took place. The New York Time’s columnist Cindy Williams declared Michele “Dynamite” and soon NBC tapped her to appear on Last Comic Standing, where she was a finalist and also The Last Woman Comic Standing on Season 4.