Francesca Bilyard: Winner – Women Leader in Residential Remodeling & Interior Transformation | International Women Awards 2026
- Great Companies
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
The 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies celebrates women leaders who are breaking barriers, redefining industries, and building businesses that create lasting impact.
Among this year’s distinguished winners is Francesca Bilyard, Founder and Owner of Diamonds & DrillBits LLC, honored as Winner – Women Leader in Residential Remodeling & Interior Transformation.
Based in Pemberton, New Jersey, USA, Francesca is changing the face of the residential remodeling industry through exceptional craftsmanship, customer-first service, and a mission to inspire more women to succeed in traditionally male-dominated trades.
Company Overview
Founder: Francesca Bilyard
Business: Diamonds & DrillBits LLC
Location: Pemberton, New Jersey, USA
Founded: 2022
Category: Residential Remodeling & Interior Transformation
Industry: Construction & Home Improvement
Website: www.diamondsanddrillbits.com
Transforming Homes Through Service Excellence
Diamonds & DrillBits LLC is a woman-owned and operated full-service residential remodeling company specializing in transforming homes through thoughtful design, expert execution, and exceptional client care.
The company provides:
Kitchen Remodeling
Bathroom Renovations
Basement Finishing
Custom Closets
Feature Walls
Tile Installation
Deck Construction
Design-Build Remodeling Solutions
While many companies focus solely on construction, Francesca has built her business on a different philosophy:
Diamonds & DrillBits is a customer service company that happens to remodel houses.
Every project begins with understanding the client's vision and ends with delivering a space that exceeds expectations.
Redefining the Remodeling Experience
What makes Diamonds & DrillBits truly unique is its highly personalized approach to residential remodeling.
Clients benefit from:
Complimentary 3D Design Services
Personalized Material Selection Support
Guided Shopping Assistance
Daily On-Site Project Oversight
Transparent Communication
Fair Pricing
Consistent High-Quality Craftsmanship
Francesca takes a hands-on role throughout every project, ensuring clients feel informed, supported, and confident from concept to completion.
Her commitment to communication has become one of the company's strongest differentiators.
As she proudly states:
"I actually call people back."
That simple philosophy has helped build trust, loyalty, and a reputation for excellence in an industry where customer service is often overlooked.
Building a Business in a Male-Dominated Industry
Francesca’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience, determination, and breaking stereotypes.
As a woman leading a construction and remodeling company, she has often faced challenges that her male counterparts rarely encounter.
Throughout her journey, she has had to repeatedly prove her expertise, technical knowledge, and leadership capabilities to:
Contractors
Homeowners
Industry Professionals
Township Officials
Rather than allowing these challenges to discourage her, she used them as motivation to work harder, learn faster, and raise the standard for what leadership in the remodeling industry can look like.
Her success today stands as a testament to perseverance, professionalism, and confidence.
Creating Opportunities for Women
Beyond remodeling homes, Francesca is passionate about creating opportunities for women within the skilled trades industry.
Currently employing a female team member, she envisions building a larger team of women who can thrive and succeed in construction and remodeling careers.
Her mission extends beyond business growth.
She wants to inspire young girls and women to:
Pursue ambitious goals
Enter non-traditional industries
Build confidence in their abilities
Create successful careers on their own terms
By challenging industry norms and leading by example, she is helping open doors for future generations of women in trades.
Leadership Through Community Impact
Francesca believes success is most meaningful when it is shared with the community.
Her commitment to giving back includes:
Building garden boxes for the nonverbal inpatient population through Legacy Treatment Services
Supporting local community initiatives
Mentoring and inspiring young women
Her leadership and contributions have earned significant recognition, including:
Burlington County Chamber of Commerce Honor for Personal Excellence (2025)
Nominee for Burlington County Consumer Choice Awards – Best Interior Design Company
Three-time speaker at the Girl Scouts of Southern and Central New Jersey Leadership Conference
These accomplishments reflect both her professional success and her dedication to empowering others.
Building More Than Homes
For Francesca, remodeling is about more than construction.
It is about helping families create spaces where memories are made, relationships grow, and lives unfold.
By combining design expertise, craftsmanship, and genuine care, she has built a business that transforms both homes and client experiences.
Every completed project reflects her commitment to quality, trust, and long-term relationships.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
Francesca shares powerful advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs:
Ignore the voices that doubt your potential
Accept that fear is part of growth
Stay focused on your vision
Keep learning and improving
Work harder when challenges arise
She emphasizes:
"Fear and doubt are part of the game. Ignore the naysayers. When you feel like quitting, work harder because you are on the right path."
The Future
Diamonds & DrillBits is focused on continued growth while maintaining its commitment to exceptional customer experiences.
Future goals include:
Expanding the remodeling business
Growing a women-led team within the construction industry
Enhancing design-build capabilities
Supporting more homeowners with personalized remodeling solutions
Inspiring more women to pursue careers in skilled trades
The vision is clear:
To change the face of remodeling one woman at a time while delivering beautiful spaces and outstanding client experiences.
Official Recognition
Francesca Bilyard has been honored as the Winner – Women Leader in Residential Remodeling & Interior Transformation at the 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies, recognizing her outstanding contribution to residential remodeling, customer service excellence, and women’s leadership in the construction industry.
About the Awards
The International Women Awards by Great Companies celebrates women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are driving excellence, creating impact, and transforming industries through leadership, innovation, and purpose-driven businesses worldwide.