Your low GPA represents weekly efforts. Or issues comprehending. Also, that your knowledge base is lower. Next to nothing, no sort of explanation, can make that change. In addition to the questions about academic suitability for a particular target, they can wonder if the business and/or other activities are a distraction or mis-placed priorities- about your thinking and choices about where to invest effort. That all matters. The side things are not a trump card.
Just how do you think " I can further tell colleges that I can handle the coursework," which is speculative, if they’re looking at issues with the present work?
There’s a big difference between Top 50 and Top 30.
“Your chances of getting in if you apply are automatically higher than if you don’t apply”
Nonsense. An example of nonsense thinking. You can’t get rejected, if you aren’t a candidate. But that doesn’t change the reality of rejection possibilities, when one’s not a suitable applicant.