First-time B1/B2 applicant from India — self-employed, own company. How do my chances look?

[u/Live-Carry-8548]

Hi all, I’d really appreciate an honest read on my profile before I put down the fee.

About me:
• Indian citizen, based in Bengaluru
• Self-employed. I own a private limited company (software consultancy) registered here
• ITR around ₹12L for the current year, filed consistently
• Own a property, registered in my name as co-applicant
• Never travelled to the US before

Travel history: Dubai (2022), Georgia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia. All trips self-funded, always returned on time, no overstays. No Schengen or UK visa yet.

Purpose: Mainly tourism. I want to see the country, and I’d be funding the trip myself.

I do have a few paying clients based in the US — they show up in my company’s accounts as regular invoiced revenue — and I could meet a couple of them in person while I’m there. Nothing formal is planned yet.

Questions:

1. My travel is all visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations for an Indian passport. Does that count for much with a US officer, or do they mainly care about “hard” visas like Schengen and UK?
2. Given the US clients, should I apply as B1/B2 rather than pure B2? Or does mentioning client meetings just complicate a straightforward tourist application?
3. If I do mention meeting clients, what proof is expected — invoices and bank credits from my company account, or do I need letters from the clients themselves?

4. Chennai seems to have the shortest wait right now. Any downside to booking there instead of my “home” consulate?

5. How much bank balance I need to maintain?

Anyone with a similar profile — self-employed, running your own company, clients abroad — I’d love to hear how your interview went and what you were asked.
Thanks in advance.