Best Strategy to Pursue PhD

Here's the rundown...

I'm 27 and own a small career consulting business. I've enjoyed building the business, but have decided that my long-term goal is to become a business professor (specialization in marketing). My undergraduate GPA from a public, liberal arts school is 3.5 and I have traditionally done very well on standardized tests. I am about to begin a 3-month, intensive self-study period for the GMAT and am confident that I can score above 700.

Even though it is not a requirement for admission, I know that in order to be competitive for a PhD program, I need to get an MBA and develop some sort of research experience. From what I have read, PhD programs primarily look for exceptional GMAT scores, high GPA, and a proven ability to develop and carry out research ideas rather than the leadership and work experience that MBA's value so much.

My question is - Should I do everything I can to gain admission to a top 25 MBA program or simply enroll in the University of Kansas MBA program (where I can easily commute) and try to develop a strong research background there? KU is a good school, but it's certainly not in the same class as some of the Big 10, Pac 10, or ACC public business schools.

I realize there is great value in the brands of top MBA schools, but is it critical for me to attend one in order to gain admission to a top 30 PhD program?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.