Hello there good friend!
First of all, good to hear from you. I like your profile, good sir. You may not have the business background or the GPA, but you have lots f other things going for you, especially your GMAT, your work experience (which is MUCH more interesting than you think, and the REAL diversity of your profile).
Let's get straight to your questions:
1. Am I getting a good chance get accepted by the above schools? I understand my weaknesses include low under-grad GPA and lack of corporate exposure. Are my working experience and the 740 GMAT going to offset the weakness in my application? I heard about taking courses in community college to offset low undergrad GPA, but I don’t have such time because of work.
Yes.
Wasn't that easy?
You can even add some better schools too.
2. About recommendations: As a general manager, the only person above me is the business owner. He is going to give me a good recommendation demonstrating my achievement at work. I am planning to have my counselor at Christian fellowship to write me the second recommendation. As my counselor, she knows me pretty well. Also, I worked with her closely as I coordinated a couple music events for the fellowship. She should be able to give me some good words about my leadership skills. Is that a good combination of recommendation letters?
Maybe. the first one sounds like a winner. the second one sounds good too. But usually we like to evaluate your recommenders once we understand what ALL the possibilities are. But it sounds like a good idea to start with.
3. About area of interest, i am not so sure about entrepreneurship or general management. can i put both? or if i have to pick entrepreneurship, will it go with my long term goal just fine? I want to put entrepreneurship because i feel like it is closer to what i am doing at my job, therefore increases the change of acceptance.
My advice to you: STAY in your industry! You are coming from retail, you have done great in retail, why not continue in it? Of course at a much higher level... but still! It works for you and there's not that much competition in retail.
4. My salary is significantly lower than average. Is that something bad for my application? That is because as business partners, both I and the business owner agreed that it is the best now to reserve the money for the company growth. Should I use the optional essay to make that clear?
Don't worry about it. This is why you are going to business school right?
Not sure if you need to write an essay about this, though maybe. It may be wiser to address your GPA in the optional essay.
5. According to my profile, would it be a waste of money to try one of the top 10? like sloan?
Not at all! Go for it. Sloan will be more tough for you (although still some chances). I'd rather suggest Kellogg or Haas. A bit easier, plus maybe fits your profile better.
Hope this helps!